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Fort Ringgold
Birds Eye View
Click on image to enlarge
Wikimedia
Commons |
| Now
occupied by the Rio Grande City
Independent School District, this Fort (founded in 1848 after the
Mexican War was over), served as a base for protection forces during
periods of bandit raids in the Border area. Named after Major David
Ringgold. |
1936 centennial
Marker -
US 83, Fort Ringgold main entrance, Rio
Grande City
Fort Ringgold
Established
October 26, 1848, at Davis Landing by Capt. J.H. La Motte, 1st U.S.
Infantry, as Ringgold Barracks. Named in honor of Brevet Major
David Ringgold, 4th U.S. Artillery, who died of wounds received
at Palo Alto, May 8, 1846. Troops were withdrawn March 3, 1859.
Reoccupied December 29, 1859. Abandoned in 1861. Reoccupied by U.S.
troops in June 1865. General Robert E. Lee passed a few days
here in 1856 and in 1860.
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Photos courtesy George Benoit |
Historical Marker
- At Fort main entrance, Rio Grande
City
Fort Ringgold,
C.S.A.
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.
Recorded Texas
Historic Landmark
1965
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Family in Fort
Ringgold:
The name of the
family that lived in Fort Ringgold was my family the Alberto Gallardo
family. My grandfather was a security guard and bus-driver for many
years. We would often stay on the "campo" and had the entire fort
as our playground. We would play in the buses parked in front of my
grandparents home. It has now been dedicated to our family. I attended
the dedication and it was a great honor. - Cecilia Gallardo-Garza,
September 29, 2010 |
The
Sgt Roy Chamberlain Collection, c. 1918:
Civilian Streets, Buildings and Landscapes (10 Images)
Military Buildings (4 Images)
Trucks and Equipment (6 Images)
Photos of Sgt Chamberlain, himself. (5 Images) |
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Photo courtesy Jim Gesler |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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