Fort McCulloch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Fort McCulloch
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Oklahoma Show map of Oklahoma Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Bryan County, Oklahoma, USA
Nearest city	Kenefic, Oklahoma
Built	1862
NRHP reference No.	71000659
Added to NRHP	June 21, 1971

Fort McCulloch was an important military fort built by the Confederate army during the American Civil War. It was located in what was then called the Indian Territory, which is now part of Oklahoma. A general named Albert Pike oversaw its construction in 1862. The fort was built after a big battle called the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Building Fort McCulloch

After several southern states left the United States, they formed the Confederate States of America. Albert Pike worked with Native American groups known as the Five Civilized Tribes. He made agreements that the Confederacy would protect their lands. The Confederacy also promised to take over duties the United States had not completed.

Pike became the commander of the Indian Territory in November 1861. His first job was to build a fort near Muskogee, Oklahoma. He called this place Cantonment Davis. However, Pike and his soldiers were ordered to leave. They had to go help Confederate troops at the Battle of Pea Ridge. They never returned to Cantonment Davis.

Why Fort McCulloch Was Built

Pike's Native American soldiers fought in the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862. This battle was a loss for the Confederate Army. After the defeat, Pike worried that his command post, Fort Davis, was not safe. He thought the Union army might attack it.

So, Pike moved his troops to the southern part of the Indian Territory. He chose a spot on a high bank next to the Blue River. This new location was near a place called Nail's Crossing. Here, he built Fort McCulloch. He named the fort after General Benjamin McCulloch, who died at the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Location and Purpose

Fort McCulloch was built about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the town of Kenefic, Oklahoma. This location was very important. It controlled military roads that connected other forts. These roads linked Fort Smith with Fort Washita, Fort Gibson, and northern Texas.

The fort had strong earthworks, which are walls made of earth. But it did not have any permanent buildings. Its importance decreased after General Pike left his command in July 1862. The fort was not completely left until the end of the war. During the war, it became a safe place for people who supported the Confederacy. General Stand Watie used it for a short time as his command post in 1865.

A map from 1887 showing Fort McCulloch and Fort Washita in the Indian Territory.

Fort McCulloch was mainly built to protect Texas from any attacks by the Union army. Its large earthworks were designed to stop any enemy advance.