Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory
"We have no business to put men out here unless we give them food and shelter, and all things but sand and water must be hauled from 1 to 400 miles."
Lt. Gen. William T. Sherman, Fort Sedgwick, August 1866
Camp Rankin was established just north of here in September 1864 as a response to increasing troubles from Plains Indians. The post was soon renamed Fort Sedgwick in honor of Major General John Sedgwick, a Civil War hero.
Beginning as a couple of sod huts surrounded by a sod wall, the fort quickly grew into a full-blown military installation before fading into oblivion a short seven years later.
Fort Sedgwick's troops protected telegraph lines and stage stations, and kept the Overland Route open for commerce and travel.
This marker stands at the site of the fort hospital.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1864.
Location. 40° 56.341′ N, 102° 22.7′ W. Marker is in Ovid, Colorado, in Sedgwick County. Marker is on County Route 28, 0.3 miles west of River Road, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ovid CO 80744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hard Duty on the Plains (here, next to this marker); Julesburg in Ashes (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Moving Story
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Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,707 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
