Domestic News August 8, 1850

The Republic

Q: What keywords are associated?

Military Post, Fort Smith, Canadian River, Santa Fe Road, Troop Relocation, War Department Order

Washington, District Of Columbia

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What is this article about?

Orders received at Fort Smith headquarters to move troops to a new military post on the Canadian River, 400 miles west on the Arkansas-Santa Fe-California road. Fort Smith remains 7th military department HQ. Citizens believe site unsuitable and advocate for a southern alternative on Captain Marcy's road, potentially leading to order change. Reported July 12 in Little Rock Gazette.

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Full Text

New Military Post on the Plains.—Orders have been received at head-quarters, 7th military department, for the removal of the military force now at Fort Smith to a point on the Canadian river, about four hundred miles west, on the road from Arkansas to Santa Fe and California, where a military post is to be established. Fort Smith will continue to be the head-quarters of the 7th military department; but there may not be any considerable number of troops stationed at that point until the army is increased, or circumstances shall imperatively require their presence for maintaining quiet on our immediate frontier. There seems to be a very general belief entertained by the citizens of Fort Smith that the site selected by the War Department for the new post is not as suitable as some other positions further south, on Captain Marcy's road from Fort Smith to Dona Ana. Measures have been taken by the residents on our frontier to represent the advantages of this latter locality, and it is thought the order from the War Department will be changed in accordance with these representations.—Little Rock (Ark.) Gazette, July 12.

What sub-type of article is it?

Military

What keywords are associated?

Military Post Fort Smith Canadian River Santa Fe Road Troop Relocation War Department Order

What entities or persons were involved?

Captain Marcy

Where did it happen?

Canadian River, On Road From Arkansas To Santa Fe

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Canadian River, On Road From Arkansas To Santa Fe

Event Date

July 12

Key Persons

Captain Marcy

Outcome

potential relocation change to site on captain marcy's road from fort smith to dona ana based on frontier residents' representations.

Event Details

Orders received at 7th military department headquarters in Fort Smith for removing troops to establish a new post on the Canadian River, about 400 miles west on the road to Santa Fe and California. Fort Smith remains headquarters, with limited troops until army increase or frontier needs. Citizens of Fort Smith believe the selected site unsuitable compared to positions further south on Captain Marcy's road; frontier residents are representing advantages of the latter, likely leading to order modification.