Fort Bliss in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Mexican War Refugee Camp

Photographed by Kevin W., April 12, 2016

1. Mexican War Refugee Camp Marker

Inscription. On November 5, 1913, Pancho Villa's revolutionary forces attacked Chihuahua City, Mexico. Mexican Federal Administrators, Mexican Army troops and their families, and many other refugees evacuated the city. They traveled east to Ojinaga via train and on foot to escape Villa's army. Villa's forces pursued them and fought the battle of Ojinaga without success, until Villa arrived with additional forces. On January 10, the battle ended with Villa's forces capturing Ojinaga. The remaining refugees crossed the border into Presidio, Texas, and surrendered to Maj. M. M. McNamee and the 15th Cavalry. U.S. Troops moved about 6,000 Mexican soldiers and civilians to the railhead at Marfa, traveling 67 miles on foot in bitter weather. The refugees then traveled by train to Fort Bliss and were detained in the refugee camp which was located across from the Fort Bliss Museum in the Kelly Park area. The refugees received medical attention, vaccinations, hot showers, clothing and rations. As the Mexican Revolution became more of a threat to the El Paso border area, the detainees were transferred by train to Fort Wingate, New Mexico, in May

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1914. They remained there until September 1914, when the decision was made to release the refugees back into Mexico.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1914.

Location. 31° 49.335′ N, 106° 25.728′ W. Marker is in Fort Bliss, Texas, in El Paso County. It can be reached from Victory Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: El Paso TX 79906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

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: "General of the Army Omar N. Bradley Flagpole" (here, next to this marker); AH-1F COBRA Attack Helicopter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

Photographed by Kevin W., April 12, 2016

2. Mexican War Refugee Camp Marker

line); V2 Rocket (about 300 feet away); Pearl Harbor Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Maj (Ret) Willie J. Kucera Memorial Fountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Building 1372 (approx. half a mile away); Building 1355 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Second Expansion Period Group (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Bliss.

Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., April 12, 2016

3. Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums

Marker is on the far left, near the flagpole.

Terry Allen Community Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., April 12, 2016

4. Terry Allen Community Center

Near to the Mexican War Refugee Camp Marker is this dedication plaque, dedicated in memory of Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen, U.S.A.
1 Apiril 1888 - - - - 12 September 1969 His dedicated career spanned 33 years of service, during which he gave unstintingly of himself to his country

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,069 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.