Fort Bowie was a 19th-century outpost of the United States Army located in southeastern Arizona near the present day town of Willcox, Arizona. The remaining buildings and site are now protected as Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
Fort Bowie was established by the California Volunteers in 1862, after a series of engagements between the California Column and the ChiricahuaApaches. The most violent of these conflicts was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. The fort was named in honor of ColonelGeorge Washington Bowie commander of the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry who first established the fort. The first Fort Bowie resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent army post. In 1868, a second, more substantial Fort Bowie was built which included adobe barracks, houses, corrals, a trading post, and a hospital. The second Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards (460 m) to the east of the first site. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned in 1894.
There were two engagements between the United States Army and the Chiricahua that led to the construction of Fort Bowie in 1862. The first engagement, known as the Bascom Affair, took place in January 1861 when a band of Apaches raided the ranch of John Ward. Ward mistakenly believed that Cochise and the Chiricahua Apaches were responsible for the raid and demanded that the military take action against Cochise to recover property stolen during the raid. The next month, the army responded to Ward's request by sending LieutenantGeorge Nicholas Bascom and fifty-four men to Apache Pass to confront Cochise. Bascom managed to capture Cochise and threatened to hold him hostage until Ward's property was returned but the Apache leader managed to escape. Sporadic fighting between Cochise's warriors and Army troops would continue for years to come.
Apache prisoners at Fort Bowie, 1884
The second major engagement was the Battle of Apache Pass, fought from July 15 to July 16, 1862. A Union regiment under Brigadier GeneralJames Henry Carleton was ambushed by a band of Apaches while en route from California to New Mexico where they were to confront Confederate troops. This battle led to the eventual establishment of Fort Bowie in order to protect Apache Pass and an important source of water, Apache Spring. Construction on the first Fort Bowie began in 1862 but this resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent military fort. In 1868, a second, more substantial Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards (460 m) to the east. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned in 1894.
Commandersedit
Major Theodore H. Coult July 1862 – September 1862
Captain Hugh L. Hinds September 1862 – May 1863
Garrisons of Fort Bowieedit
Company G, 5th California Infantry. July 1862 – January 1863
Company E, 5th California Infantry. January 1863 – May 1863
Company K, 5th California Infantry. May 1864 – September 1864
?
Company L, 1st California Cavalry. June 1865 – January 1866
?
Company L, 1st California Cavalry. March 1866 – April 1866
Fort Bowie first reported on the 1870 U.S. Census as "Apache Pass." It featured 400 residents, all White.[2] It tied with Adamsville for the distinction of the 4th largest community in the Arizona Territory. At the time, it was located in Pima County. In 1880, it reported as "Camp Bowie" with 184 residents (the racial demographics were not reported).[3] In 1881, Fort Bowie was drawn into the newly-created county of Cochise. Although Fort Bowie was still in existence as an active U.S. Army facility, it did not report a population for 1890. It would be formally closed down 4 years later. It has not reported on the census to date.
The remains of Fort Bowie are carefully preserved, as are the adobe walls of various post buildings and the ruins of a Butterfield Stage Station. The site is located on the unpaved Apache Pass Road which can be accessed from Interstate 10 near Bowie, Arizona or from Arizona Highway 186 just north of the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument. Access to the ruins of Fort Bowie and the visitor center is via a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) foot trail which begins at a parking area along Apache Pass Road. This trail to the old fort passes other historic sites such as Apache Spring, Siphon Canyon, the ruins of the Butterfield Stage Stop and Bascom's Camp.
US Army soldier Orizoba Spence, who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars, is buried in the post cemetery
In 1958 a Western entitled Fort Bowie was made, starring Ben Johnson. The film charted one of the disputes between the US Cavalry based at the fort and the Apaches.
^"U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
^"Population of Civil Divisions less than counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870. p. 83.
^"Population of Civil Divisions less than counties, in the aggregate, at the Censuses of 1880 and 1870" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880. p. 99.
^"Fort Bowie and Apache Pass". National Survey Of Historic Sites And Buildings. National Park Service.
^ ab. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2007-07-28. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
^John M. Treeful (December 1975). "Camp Bowie; Fort Bowie". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination. National Park Service.
^"Camp Bowie; Fort Bowie – Accompanying 1 photo, undated". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination. National Park Service. December 1975.
Douglas C. McChristian, Fort Bowie, Arizona: Combat Post of the Southwest, 1858–1894, University of Oklahoma Press, 2006. ISBN978-0-8061-3781-0
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fort Bowie.
American Southwest, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
Park Map of Fort Bowie National Historitc Site
National Park Service: Fort Bowie National Historitc Site
HABS No. AZ-63-J, "Fort Bowie, Stage Station (Ruins)"
Photos of the Fort Bowie, Stage Station (Ruins) from Our Oasis, Fort Bowie and Apache Pass. Note differences between these photos and the old B/W photo purported to be the stage station. That old photo looks like some ruins of the Old Fort Bowie on the hill between the cemetery and the second site of Fort Bowie.
fort, bowie, this, article, about, army, outpost, arizona, film, film, confused, with, camp, bowie, 19th, century, outpost, united, states, army, located, southeastern, arizona, near, present, town, willcox, arizona, remaining, buildings, site, protected, nati. This article is about the U S Army outpost in Arizona For the film see Fort Bowie film Not to be confused with Camp Bowie Fort Bowie was a 19th century outpost of the United States Army located in southeastern Arizona near the present day town of Willcox Arizona The remaining buildings and site are now protected as Fort Bowie National Historic Site Fort BowieApache Pass ArizonaFort Bowie in 1893 TypeArmy fortificationSite informationControlled by ArizonaConditiontourist attractionSite historyBuilt1864Built by United StatesIn use1862 1894Garrison informationOccupantsUnited States Army Fort Bowie was established by the California Volunteers in 1862 after a series of engagements between the California Column and the Chiricahua Apaches The most violent of these conflicts was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862 The fort was named in honor of Colonel George Washington Bowie commander of the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry who first established the fort The first Fort Bowie resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent army post In 1868 a second more substantial Fort Bowie was built which included adobe barracks houses corrals a trading post and a hospital The second Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards 460 m to the east of the first site For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama The fort was abandoned in 1894 Contents 1 History 1 1 Commanders 1 2 Garrisons of Fort Bowie 2 Demographics 3 Fort Bowie today 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editThere were two engagements between the United States Army and the Chiricahua that led to the construction of Fort Bowie in 1862 The first engagement known as the Bascom Affair took place in January 1861 when a band of Apaches raided the ranch of John Ward Ward mistakenly believed that Cochise and the Chiricahua Apaches were responsible for the raid and demanded that the military take action against Cochise to recover property stolen during the raid The next month the army responded to Ward s request by sending Lieutenant George Nicholas Bascom and fifty four men to Apache Pass to confront Cochise Bascom managed to capture Cochise and threatened to hold him hostage until Ward s property was returned but the Apache leader managed to escape Sporadic fighting between Cochise s warriors and Army troops would continue for years to come nbsp Apache prisoners at Fort Bowie 1884 The second major engagement was the Battle of Apache Pass fought from July 15 to July 16 1862 A Union regiment under Brigadier General James Henry Carleton was ambushed by a band of Apaches while en route from California to New Mexico where they were to confront Confederate troops This battle led to the eventual establishment of Fort Bowie in order to protect Apache Pass and an important source of water Apache Spring Construction on the first Fort Bowie began in 1862 but this resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent military fort In 1868 a second more substantial Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards 460 m to the east For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama The fort was abandoned in 1894 Commanders edit Major Theodore H Coult July 1862 September 1862 Captain Hugh L Hinds September 1862 May 1863 Garrisons of Fort Bowie edit Company G 5th California Infantry July 1862 January 1863 Company E 5th California Infantry January 1863 May 1863 Company K 5th California Infantry May 1864 September 1864 Company L 1st California Cavalry June 1865 January 1866 Company L 1st California Cavalry March 1866 April 1866Demographics editHistorical population CensusPop Note 1870400 1880184 54 0 U S Decennial Census 1 Fort Bowie first reported on the 1870 U S Census as Apache Pass It featured 400 residents all White 2 It tied with Adamsville for the distinction of the 4th largest community in the Arizona Territory At the time it was located in Pima County In 1880 it reported as Camp Bowie with 184 residents the racial demographics were not reported 3 In 1881 Fort Bowie was drawn into the newly created county of Cochise Although Fort Bowie was still in existence as an active U S Army facility it did not report a population for 1890 It would be formally closed down 4 years later It has not reported on the census to date Fort Bowie today editFort Bowie National Historic SiteIUCN category III natural monument or feature nbsp nbsp Show map of Arizona nbsp nbsp Show map of the United StatesLocationCochise County Arizona United StatesNearest cityBowie ArizonaCoordinates32 08 46 N 109 26 08 W 32 14611 N 109 43556 W 32 14611 109 43556Area999 45 acres 4 04 km2 EstablishedJuly 29 1972Visitors8 401 in 2018 Governing bodyNational Park ServiceWebsiteFort Bowie National Historic SiteFort Bowie and Apache PassU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkBuilt1862NRHP reference No 72000194 4 Significant datesAdded to NRHPJuly 29 1972 5 Designated NHLDecember 19 1960 6 The Fort Bowie and Apache Pass site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 6 7 8 The remains of Fort Bowie are carefully preserved as are the adobe walls of various post buildings and the ruins of a Butterfield Stage Station The site is located on the unpaved Apache Pass Road which can be accessed from Interstate 10 near Bowie Arizona or from Arizona Highway 186 just north of the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument Access to the ruins of Fort Bowie and the visitor center is via a 1 5 mile 2 4 km foot trail which begins at a parking area along Apache Pass Road This trail to the old fort passes other historic sites such as Apache Spring Siphon Canyon the ruins of the Butterfield Stage Stop and Bascom s Camp US Army soldier Orizoba Spence who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars is buried in the post cemeteryIn 1958 a Western entitled Fort Bowie was made starring Ben Johnson The film charted one of the disputes between the US Cavalry based at the fort and the Apaches Gallery edit nbsp Fort Bowie circa 1880 nbsp Apache prisoners at Fort Bowie 1884 nbsp Fort Bowie in 1893 nbsp Present day ruins of Fort Bowie nbsp Fort Bowie site today nbsp Fort Bowie Ranger Station and museumSee also editBear Spring House Guardhouse and SpringReferences edit U S Decennial Census Census gov Retrieved June 6 2013 Population of Civil Divisions less than counties PDF United States Census Bureau 1870 p 83 Population of Civil Divisions less than counties in the aggregate at the Censuses of 1880 and 1870 PDF United States Census Bureau 1880 p 99 Fort Bowie and Apache Pass National Survey Of Historic Sites And Buildings National Park Service National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b Fort Bowie and Apache Pass National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on 2007 07 28 Retrieved 2007 09 27 John M Treeful December 1975 Camp Bowie Fort Bowie National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination National Park Service Camp Bowie Fort Bowie Accompanying 1 photo undated National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination National Park Service December 1975 Douglas C McChristian Fort Bowie Arizona Combat Post of the Southwest 1858 1894 University of Oklahoma Press 2006 ISBN 978 0 8061 3781 0External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fort Bowie American Southwest a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary Park Map of Fort Bowie National Historitc Site National Park Service Fort Bowie National Historitc Site Historic American Buildings Survey HABS No AZ 63 Fort Bowie Ruins Boiwe vicinity Cochise County AZ HABS No AZ 63 A Fort Bowie Cavalry Barracks HABS No AZ 63 B Fort Bowie Corrals HABS No AZ 63 C Fort Bowie Infantry Barracks HABS No AZ 63 D Fort Bowie Commanding Officer s Quarters HABS No AZ 63 E Fort Bowie Guardhouse HABS No AZ 63 F Fort Bowie Schoolhouse HABS No AZ 63 G Fort Bowie New Hospital HABS No AZ 63 H Fort Bowie Sutler s Store HABS No AZ 63 I Fort Bowie Magazine HABS No AZ 63 J Fort Bowie Stage Station Ruins Photos of the Fort Bowie Stage Station Ruins from Our Oasis Fort Bowie and Apache Pass Note differences between these photos and the old B W photo purported to be the stage station That old photo looks like some ruins of the Old Fort Bowie on the hill between the cemetery and the second site of Fort Bowie Fort Bowie Post Cemetery at Find a Grave U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Camp Bowie historical U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System First Fort Bowie ruins U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Fort Bowie Historic Site Portals nbsp Arizona nbsp History Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fort Bowie amp oldid 1192542590, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
