Fort Gibson / Blunt

[USS ALASKA]

(Fort Gibson is located just over an hour from my home on Grand Lake O'er the Cherokees). Fort Gibson served a pivotal role in the political, social, and economic upheaval that marked the westward expansion of the United States. Built at the critical crossroads of the Three Forks where the Arkansas, Verdigris, and Grand Rivers converge south of the Ozark Plateau, Fort Gibson was key to river navigation. It also served as an outpost on the Texas Road connecting settled Missouri with the new country of Mexico after independence from Spain in 1820. Fort Gibson was established in 1824 to keep the peace between the Osages and Cherokees. It figured prominently in the Indian removals and was home to many of our nation's leaders during the 1840s and 1850s. Fort Gibson served as a starting point for several military expeditions that explored the West. It was occupied through most of the Indian removal period, but then abandoned in 1857. The post was reactivated during the Civil War. It was renamed Fort Blunt and served as the Union headquarters in Indian Territory. The army stayed through the Reconstruction and Indian Wars periods, combating the problem of outlaws and squatters. Abandoned in 1890, the fort was later the headquarters of the Dawes Commission for their work enrolling members of the Five Tribes. (TextView attachment 461410 and image from okhistory.org)

THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA
Fort Blunt
Civil War Fortifications
Robert Cole

Fort Gibson was established by the US Army in the 1820s and featured a log stockade fortification. By the 1850s the stockade was in disrepair and the fort's main buildings were on higher ground overlooking the original site without fortifications of any sort. Fort Gibson still lacked battlements when abandoned by the United States in 1857, when Confederates occupied it early in the Civil War, and when Union troops took possession in April 1863 and renamed the site Fort Blunt, in honor of Major General James Blunt.

https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2017423/m2/1/high_res_d/2017-v95-n03_COO_Cole.pdf

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Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Sivart]

I actually think Fort Gibson was in Union Control at the start of the Civil War. The Confederates took control of it sometime later, and then was recaptured by the Union. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Update: I was mistaken about this. Thanks to @USS ALASKA for correcting me. I apologize for any inconvenience I might have caused anyone. You learn something everyday!

 

[USS ALASKA]

Sir, from all the references I can find to it, and this is just a sample...

Amazon.com

...it was abandoned in 1857, was occupied by Native Americans until the Confederates took control at the beginning of the ACW, and Union forces returned in 1863.

HTHs,
USS ALASKA