Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Guardhouse
Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024
1. The Guardhouse Marker - new marker
This stone building, with walls eighteen inches thick, is the only original structure of Fort Martin Scott. It was built in 1849 out of native limestone, and served as the posts guardhouse where soldiers were jailed for crimes and misbehavior.
Army discipline was strict and punishment for infractions was severe. In one court martial case, Private W. Walters was charged with desertion of his post. He was found guilty and sentenced to fifty lashes with a rawhide whip on his bare back, hard labor while tethered to a ball and chain, and suffered forfeiture of pay and allowances for six months. Another enlisted man, Private E. Hughes, was found guilty of habitual drunkenness. As punishment, he forfeited all pay, was branded with a two-inch letter D on his right hip, (thieves received a T), and was drummed out of the service.
Punishment differed dramatically between enlisted men and officers. Captain W. Saunders was charged with embezzlement of public funds and threatening a sergeant. He was found guilty of the latter charge and was only suspended from rank and command for two months and publicly reprimanded.
Other punishments included fines, reductions in rank, hanging by the thumbs, wearing the barrel, dishonorable discharge, and confinement in the guardhouse.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 30° 14.945′ N, 98° 50.714′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It can be reached from East Main Street 0.2 miles west of Heritage Hills Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located within the Fort Martin Scott parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1606 E Main St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Braeutigam Family (a few steps from this marker); The Sutler's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Laundry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Natural Setting (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncovering the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace with the Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. Fort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost in Fredericksburg, Texas, that was active from 1848
Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024
2. The Guardhouse and Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Martin Scott
Also see . . .
1. Fort Martin Scott. The guardhouse, made of cut limestone, is the only surviving building from the original fort, having been restored to its original design in the early 1990s. It was the Braeutigams homestead. The city of Fredericksburg bought the Fort Martin Scott property from the Braeutigam family. Among other highlights of the fort are the post commanders quarters (formerly Braeutigam Garden), six buildings of officers housing, sutlers store and warehouse, laundry, bakehouse with oven, military hospital, three sets of enlisted mens barracks, quartermasters warehouse, a stable with barn, and a blacksmith shop. (Submitted on June 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Life on the Texas Frontier: Fort Martin Scott. The camp was laid out like a large, upside down letter "U." Two rows of buildings faced each other over a fifty-yard wide parade ground, approximately 100 yards long. The guardhouse connected the two lines of barracks and "Officers Row." (Submitted on June 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2018
3. The Guardhouse Marker - old marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2018
4. The Guardhouse Marker - old marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2018
5. The Guardhouse Marker (wide view; 1849 guardhouse in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
