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Fort
Stanton - The history of a marine hospital in the middle of New Mexico
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Fort
Stanton was named for Captain Henry W. Stanton who helped lead an expedition
against the Apaches in January of 1855 near the Rio Penasco, or modern
day Mayhill. Here he was led into an ambush and killed by the Mescalero
Apaches with twelve of his men. The name Fort Stanton was only meant to
be a temporary designation, which obviously was never changed. When Confederate
forces took nearby Fort Fillmore, commanding officer Captain B.S. Roberts
ordered that Fort Stanton be abandoned and burned down. This was to ensure
that the Confederate forces would not take the fort, and gain the materials
stored there. Unfortunately for Roberts, a New Mexico gully washer (a
big storm) came in behind the retreating forces and put the fire out.
This allowed local Hispanoes, and Apaches to salvage all that the semi-destroyed
fort had to offer.
Roberts' plan was not a complete failure however, since their materials
ultimately did not fall into the hands of the Confederate forces. When
the Confederate troops arrived at Fort Stanton, they were met in the ruins
by Indian forces. Fighting broke out immediately. Although the Confederates
were able to gain control of the fort, the single company stationed there
was unable
to control the Mescalero Apaches who ultimately forced the troops to abandon
the fort.
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With
the Confederate failure to take New Mexico, Indian raids abated, and the
U.S. Army was able to re-occupy Fort Stanton under the command of Colonel
Kit Carson. At this time, Fort Stanton was considered a very good post,
with excellent living conditions. By the time of the Lincoln County wars,
"gold fever" in the area was at its height, and many of the
soldiers spent their spare time prospecting and hunting in the nearby
mountais.
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