Fort Davis, Oklahoma facts for kids

Fort Davis, Oklahoma, was built in 1861. It was located near the Arkansas River, not far from today's Muskogee, Oklahoma. This fort served as a main base for the Confederate States of America in Indian Territory. The fort was named after Jefferson Davis, who was the President of the Confederacy.

At first, it was called Cantonment Davis. Its main goals were to keep the Indian Territory loyal to the Confederacy. It also aimed to stop Union Army attacks into Texas from the north.

Why Was Fort Davis Built?

Setting Up a New Headquarters

In the fall of 1861, Brigadier General Albert Pike took charge of all Confederate troops in Indian Territory. He first set up his headquarters at Fort Gibson. However, Federal troops had left Fort Gibson in 1857.

When Union forces started moving into the territory from the north, General Pike moved his troops. He chose a safer spot across the river, right on the important Texas Road supply line. This is where construction of Fort Davis began in November 1861.

What Did Fort Davis Look Like?

Once finished, Fort Davis had 13 wooden buildings. These included places for soldiers to sleep (barracks), a store for supplies (commissary), and stables for horses. The fort covered about eight acres. It did not have a stockade (a fence of tall posts).

The center of the fort was a prehistoric mound. This mound helped hide troop movements. It also gave soldiers a good view of the area around them. Troops from the Five Civilized Tribes, Texas, and Arkansas were stationed at the fort.

Fort Davis During the Civil War

Battles and Changes

In 1862, General Pike and his Native American troops were sent to help General Earl Van Dorn in northwest Arkansas. Even though the soldiers from Indian Territory fought bravely, the Confederates lost two important battles. These were the Battle of Pea Ridge in March and the Battle of Prairie Grove in December. After these losses, northwest Arkansas and most of the Cherokee Nation came under Union Army control.

Fort Davis Becomes Vulnerable

After the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Fort Davis was in more danger. When Union troops took over Fort Gibson, General Pike made Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper responsible for Fort Davis. Pike then moved most of the Native American regiments further south. This marked the end of Fort Davis's main role in the Civil War.

The End of Fort Davis

On December 27, 1862, Union Army troops attacked Fort Davis. They were led by Colonel William A. Phillips. The Union soldiers burned Fort Davis to the ground. The site where the fort once stood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.