Fort Inge, Camp Dix, C.S.A.
Uvalde, Uvalde County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A major road west from San Antonio forked in the area of these forts. One road went toward El Paso, the other to the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass. Travelers heading west "put on their guns" in this region, the start of hostile Indian country, troops from these posts guarded against Indian raids, bandits from Mexico, and marauders. Fort Inge, 4.5 mi. southeast, was on Cotton Road to Eagle Pass over which hundreds of wagons, oxcarts took cotton to Mexico in exchange for vital goods. Part defense line from Brownsville to El Paso. Occupied by volunteer cavalry. (Back of Fort Inge, Camp Dix) Camp Dix, located 7 mi. East. Established in 1862. Part of state frontier defense line a day's horseback ride apart from the Red River to the Rio Grande to protect frontier settlements. Occupied by Texas Frontier Regiment. Although Uvalde County voted 76 to 16 against secession, a number of men joined the Confederate Army. Some, being Unionists, moved to Mexico. The war brought hard times and a rash of Indian attacks. In 1863-64 when Federals held the lower Rio Grande, Eagle Pass became the chief export city for the Confederacy and wagon trains increased along the road. Often without food, clothing, horses, ammunition, the Confederate and State troops, backed by citizens' posses brought a measure of protection to this frontier region. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the state of Texas 1963.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
West of San Antonio the road forked toward El Paso and toward Eagle Pass on the Rio Grande, and travelers here "put on their guns" at the edge of contested country. During the Civil War, Fort Inge and Camp Dix anchored a thin Confederate and state defense line stretched a day's ride apart from the Red River to the Rio Grande, guarding against raids while wagon trains hauled cotton to Mexico in exchange for scarce goods. Though Uvalde County had voted heavily against secession, many local men served, and the war years brought hard times and renewed frontier attacks.
Why it matters
These posts capture the Confederacy's overlooked western frontier, where troops fought less for battle lines than to keep a lifeline of cotton trade—and settlers—alive.
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Related events
- · American Civil War
Themes & tags
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