Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

African American Troops at Fort Brown

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. African American Troops at Fort Brown Marker

Inscription. During the Civil War, African American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) fought in the last battle of the war at Palmito Ranch on May 11, 1865. During reconstruction, Buffalo Soldiers were stationed at Fort Brown and many sites along the U.S.-Mexico border. In 1906, troops of the 25th Infantry Regiment, distinguished veterans of the Spanish-American War, were briefly stationed here. Conflict between soldiers and townspeople culminated in violence in August 1906. In the aftermath of the "Brownsville Raid," President Theodore Roosevelt dishonorably discharged 167 men without a trial. The U.S. Army and President Richard Nixon reversed that decision in 1972 with mostly posthumous honorable discharges.

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20105.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 1865.

Location. 25° 53.92′ N, 97° 29.473′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Gorgas Drive and May Street. The marker is located on the north side of the Regiment House in the campus of Texas Southmost College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1831 Gorgas Drive, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Post Morgue (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brown Buildings 85 and 86 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brown Commissary/Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brown Commissary / Guardhouse Comisaria y Casa de la Guardia del Fuerte Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); William Crawford Gorgas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of 124th Cavalry (about 300 feet away); Post Hospital (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

More about this marker. The historic Fort Brown buildings are located around the campus of the Texas Southmost College.

Also see . . . Brownsville Raid of 1906. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

The Brownsville Raid of August 13–14, 1906, an alleged attack by soldiers from companies B, C, and D of the black Twenty-fifth United States Infantry stationed at Fort Brown, resulted in the largest summary dismissals in the annals of the United States Army. The First Battalion, minus Headquarters and Company A, arrived at Brownsville, a community of 6,000, from recent duty in the Philippines and Fort Niobrara,
Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The African American Troops at Fort Brown Marker in front of the Regiment House
Nebraska, on July 28. The soldiers immediately confronted racial discrimination from some businesses and suffered several instances of physical abuse from federal customs collectors. A reported attack on a White woman during the night of August 12 so incensed many townspeople that Maj. Charles W. Penrose, after consultation with Mayor Frederick Combe, declared an early curfew the following day to avoid trouble. The evening passed peacefully until around midnight, when a brief shooting spree claimed the life of bartender Frank Natus and destroyed the arm of police lieutenant M. Y. Dominguez. Various residents claimed to observe soldiers running through the streets shooting, despite the darkness of the hour and vantage points of considerable distance.

(Submitted on May 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the African American Troops at Fort Brown Marker at the campus image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The view of the African American Troops at Fort Brown Marker at the campus

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.