The Natural Setting

The Natural Setting. . , Of the first soldiers to arrive at Fort Martin Scott, none were natives of Texas. Many came from eastern states or were from Europe. Having traded familiar surroundings for the Texas wilderness, soldiers could identify with the newly arrived German immigrants living nearby in Fredericksburg., The landscape included a variety of flora and fauna. Live oak and mesquite trees dotted the landscape and an abundance of colorful wildflowers carpeted the fields every spring. While patrolling in the countryside, soldiers encountered elk and white tail deer, black bears, mountain lions, wild turkeys and mockingbirds. They also found armadillos, an animal unknown to the soldiers from the East and Europe. Other creatures abounded such as skunks, squirrels, rattlesnakes and horned lizards., The residents at the fort relied on Barons Creek for all their water. They drank from the clear-running, spring-fed waters and used it in preparing meals. The laundresses retrieved water from the creek for washing clothes and linens. Soldiers hauled water to the post garden to water the crops. Additionally, soldiers used water from the creek to mix mortar for constructing the post buildings.