Camp Hudson facts for kids

Camp Hudson, which was later known as Fort Hudson, was an important military outpost in Texas. It was located on the west bank of the Devils River, near a place called Bakers Crossing today. This spot was about 19 miles south of Juno and 21 miles north of Comstock in Val Verde County, Texas. The camp was also close to the mouth of Hudson Canyon and near Huffstutler Springs. Both Camp Hudson and Hudson Canyon were named after a soldier, Second Lieutenant Walter W. Hudson. He died in this area on April 19, 1850, during a conflict with local Native American groups.

History of Camp Hudson

Why Camp Hudson Was Built

Camp Hudson was first set up on June 7, 1857. Its main job was to protect people traveling on the San Antonio-El Paso Road. This road was used by wagons and stagecoaches, including those from the San Antonio-El Paso Mail and the San Antonio–San Diego Mail Line. The camp helped keep these travelers safe between Fort Clark and Fort Lancaster. When it was first built, the camp was located in what was then Kinney County. As mentioned, it was named in honor of Lieutenant Walter W. Hudson, who had been injured in a fight with Native American groups and died in April 1850.

The Civil War Years

Federal troops left Camp Hudson on March 17, 1861, just before the American Civil War began. After they left, soldiers from the Confederate 2nd Texas Cavalry took over the camp. They used it as a frontier outpost from 1861 to 1862. Their job was to guard the road to El Paso from Native American attacks. They also helped escort supply trains for the Confederate forces involved in the New Mexico Campaign. However, after the New Mexico Campaign did not succeed, Camp Hudson was abandoned along with other forts in West Texas.

Federal Troops Return

Federal troops came back to Camp Hudson in November 1867. This happened after a stagecoach was attacked between Camp Hudson and Fort Stockton, where two military escorts were killed. Companies D and G of the U. S. Ninth Cavalry were sent to Camp Hudson. From April 1868, the camp became a permanent military base. Soldiers stayed there to deal with conflicts with Native American groups until January 1877. That's when Camp Hudson was finally closed for good.

Remembering Camp Hudson

Today, the original site of Camp Hudson is marked by a special sign. The Texas Historical Commission placed a Texas Centennial Marker there in 1936. You can find this marker about 19 miles south of Juno along Texas State Highway 163. It helps people remember the history of this important Texas outpost.