District of Arizona facts for kids
The District of Arizona was a special military area created during the American Civil War. It was set up on August 30, 1862, as part of the Department of New Mexico. Think of it like a military region within a larger military department. Its main job was to help control the Arizona Territory during the war.
Later, in March 1865, the District of Arizona was moved to be part of the Department of the Pacific. This meant it was now under a different group of military leaders.
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Leaders of the District of Arizona
The District of Arizona had different commanders, depending on which larger military department it belonged to. These commanders were in charge of the soldiers and military operations in the area.
Under the Department of New Mexico (1862-1864)
The headquarters for this period were first in Franklin, Texas (which is now El Paso, Texas), and then at Mesilla Post until 1864.
- James H. Carleton – August 30, 1862 – September 5, 1862
- Joseph R. West – September 5, 1862 – January 29, 1864
- George W. Bowie – January 29, 1864 – November 1864
- Joseph R. Smith – November 1864 – December 8, 1864
Under the Department of the Pacific (1865)
The headquarters for this period moved to Prescott, Arizona.
- John S. Mason – March 7, 1865 – July 27, 1865
Under the Military Division of the Pacific (1865-1870)
On July 27, 1865, an even larger military area called the Military Division of the Pacific was created. This new division took over from the Department of the Pacific. It included many areas, like California, Nevada, and the territories of New Mexico and Arizona. The District of Arizona became part of this big new division.
Arizona stayed a military district until April 15, 1870. At that point, it was upgraded to become the Department of Arizona. This new department was also part of the Military Division of the Pacific. Colonel George Stoneman, who was a district commander, became the first commander of the new Department of Arizona. He served until June 4, 1871.
Here are the commanders during this period:
- Major John S. Mason – March 7, 1865 – April 30, 1866
- Lt. Col. Henry D. Wallen – June 10 – August 11, 1866
- Colonel Charles S. Lovell – August 11, 1866 – October 12, 1867
- Colonel Thomas L. Crittenden – October 12, 1867 – August 29, 1868
- Colonel Thomas C. Devin – August 29, 1868 – August 16, 1869
- Colonel George Stoneman – August 16, 1869 – May 3, 1870
Military Posts in Arizona
Many military posts and forts were set up in the Arizona Territory during this time. These posts were important for protecting settlers, controlling trade routes, and dealing with conflicts. Here are some of the key locations:
- Fort Buchanan – 1856–1861, 1862
- Fort Breckenridge – 1857–1861, Fort Stanford 1862, Camp Wright 1865, Camp Grant – 1865–1873
- Fort Mojave – 1858–1861, 1863–1890
- Fort Tucson – 1860–1862
- Tucson Armory – 1862–1864
- Fort Barrett – 1862
- Fort Bowie – 1862–1894
- Mission Camp, near Nogales – 1862
- Fort Tubac – 1862–1865, 1866–1868
- Camp La Paz – September 1863 – 1864, a smaller post of Fort Mohave between Olive City and La Paz, Arizona.
- Camp at Bear Spring – 1863–1864
- Fort Cerro – 1863 – ?
- Fort Canby – 1863–1864
- Camp Clark – 1863–1864
- Fort Whipple – 1864–1869
- Camp Pomeroy – 1863
- Camp on the Colorado River, Camp Colorado – 1864–1871, near Parker
- Fort Verde – 1864–1866
- Yuma Depot – 1864–1891
- Post at Calabasas 1865, Fort Mason – 1865–1866, Camp McKee 1866 in Rio Rico, Arizona
- Camp Cameron – 1866–1867, in Madera Canyon
- Camp Alexander – 1867, 12 miles up river from Fort Mohave at a crossing on the Colorado River.
- Camp Willow Grove – 1867–1869, south of Valentine
- Camp Devin, renamed Camp Toll Gate until 1870, Camp Hualpai – 1869–1873, near Paulden
See also
