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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central) |
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Camp Ford
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By Steve Gustafson, March 30, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Camp Ford Marker | | |
Inscription. On this site during the Civil War was located Camp Ford the largest prisoner of war compound for Union troops west of Mississippi river named in honor of Col. John S. "Rip" Ford who originally established a training camp here in 1862. It was converted in the summer of 1863 to a prison camp.
It first consisted of four to five acres enclosed by a stockade sixteen feet high. In the spring of 1864 following the Confederate victories at Mansfield, Louisiana and Mark's Mills, Arkansas the enclosure was doubled to accommodate the large influx of prisoners. Approximately 4700 Federals were confined here during this period. This overcrowded condition was somewhat relieved through a series of prisoner of war exchanges between the North and the South.
Union soldiers representing nearly one hundred different regiments plus sailors from gunboats and transports were confined here. In addition there were imprisoned Union sympathizers, spies and even Confederate deserters.
The prisoners constructed their own shelters ranging from log huts and burrows called "shebangs" to brush arbors and tents made of blankets.
A spring, located about 199yards southwest of this marker, furnished an ample supply of good water. Their meager rations, essentially the same as that of their guards, usually consisted of beef and corn | | | | 
By Amanda Hartley, July 7, 2010 | |
| | | 2. Camp Ford Marker | | |
meal and were sometimes supplemented by vegetables purchased from nearby farms.
Although escape attempts were frequent, very few were successful due to the long distance to union lines and the difficulty in eluding the tracking hounds used by the Confederate guards.
Even though conditions were primitive it compared favorably with the other Civil War prison camps. Camp Ford continued to serve as a prison until the surrender of the Trans-Mississippi department in May, 1865. It was later destroyed by Federal occupation troops.
Erected 1962 by Texas State Historical Survey Committee.
Location. 32° 24.159′ N, 95° 16.239′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker is at the intersection of East Hardy Road (County Road 326) and Pine Springs Road (County Road 334), on the right when traveling north on East Hardy Road. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6288 Highway 271, Tyler TX 75708, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. A different marker also named Camp Ford (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elisha Everett Lott (approx. 7.3 miles away); Milburn-Gary House (approx. 7.7 miles away); The Kay House (approx. 9.5 miles away); Cherokee Exodus from Texas (approx. 13.2 miles away). | | | | 
By Amanda Hartley, July 7, 2010 | |
| | | 3. Camp Ford Marker and TX Centennial Camp Ford Marker | | |
Regarding Camp Ford. At the marker site, there is a short loop trail describing various camp remains. |
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By Steve Gustafson, March 30, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Camp Ford Marker | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on January 26, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 237 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on January 26, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2010, by Amanda Hartley of Tyler, Texas. 4. submitted on January 26, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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