Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Ford Stockade
Confederate Prisoner of War Camp
| | Union Prisoners | |
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012
1. Camp Ford Stockade Marker
The initial prisoners to arrive at Camp Ford were kept in the open with no stockade. Panic resulted with the arrival with over 600 prisoners October 23, 1863. The Camp Commander, Col. R.T.P. Allen, with only 40 guards, discovered a plot among the prisoners for a mass break out. Planters in the area were called upon to bring their slaves and erect a stockade. The work commenced on November 11 and within 10 days an area of about three and a half acres was enclosed with a wall made of split logs standing sixteen feet out of the ground.
The west wall ran about ten yards east of this location. The main gate was not discovered during the archaeological work, but is thought to be about 75 yards to the south. Immediately outside the gate was the "wolf pen" where prisoners would be held for disciplinary reasons, as well as a cabin for the officer on guard.
Erected by Smith County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1867.
Location. 32° 23.809′ N, 95° 16.052′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It can be reached
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Camp Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Camp Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Cabin of Lt. Col. J.B. Leake (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Ford - Establishment of the Camp (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Ford Confederate Guards (about 300 feet away); Camp Ford - Early Days as a Prison Camp (about 300 feet away); Camp Ford - Prisoners from Louisiana (about 300 feet away); African Americans at Camp Ford (about
Photographed by Camp Ford Stockade Marker, September 17, 2012
2. Camp Ford Stockade Marker
Period drawing of slaves building a stockade. The work here would have been similar.
Regarding Camp Ford Stockade. Camp Ford was the largest Confederate Prisoner of War Camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. Established in August of 1863, the camp was not closed until May 19, 1865. At its peak in July 1864, over 5,300 prisoners were detained there. (Smith County Historical Society)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012
3. Camp Ford Stockade recreation
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012
4. 1936 State of Texas marker: Camp Ford stockade prison of Federal soldiers during the Civil War
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 797 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
