Rio Grande City in Starr County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Ringgold, C.S.A.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 23, 2025

1. Fort Ringgold, C.S.A. Marker

Inscription. Occupied early in Civil War by Texas Confederates under Col. John S. Ford. Vital in chain of posts used to defend the 2,000 mile Texas frontier, coastline and border always threatened by attacks from Indians, bandits and Federal troops.

Cols. Ford, August Buchel and Santos Benavides had troops here from time to time to scout the river, defend ranches and guard wagons trading cotton for war supplies in neutral Mexico. Taken in November 1863 by 1st Texas Union Cavalry. Retaken May 1864 by Ford and used as base to recapture Brownsville.

Erected 1964 by Texas State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2013.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 26° 22.645′ N, 98° 48.582′ W. Marker is in Rio Grande City, Texas, in Starr County. It is at the intersection of Ringgold Avenue and Lee Circle, on the right when traveling south on Ringgold Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rio Grande City TX 78582, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

Globally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: A different marker also named Fort Ringgold (a few steps from this marker); Old Ringgold Barracks Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Silverio de la Peña Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Padre Gustav Gollbach, O.M.I. (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Rev. Gustav Gollbach, O.M.I. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Site of Cortina Battle (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gregorio Barrera (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rio Grande City, C.S.A (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rio Grande City.

Also see . . . Fort Ringgold - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 23, 2025

2. Fort Ringgold, C.S.A. Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 20, 2026

3. Fort Ringgold, C.S.A. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.