Fort Belknap
by Wilbur Kunkel
written in 1947
| Fort Belknap was built in 1851 for protection against the Indians. Early in 1851, orders were given for two army posts to be established. One was a fort on the Brazos River and the other Fort Phantom HIll, about 60 miles west of Belknap. There are two location sites for Fort Belknap. On 4 June 1851, it was located on the Red Fork of the Brazos River, 10 miles above its junction with the Clear Fork. Fort Belknap was again established on 1 November 1851, two miles below the first location. General Belknap, for whom the fort was named, personally laid out the fort. General Belknap fought in the war of 1812 against England. He took part in the northern part of the war, during which he was wounded. A year after this he was appointed second lieutenant in the 23rd Division. He fought in a war against the Florida Indians, where he was very successful. He was made a brigadier general for gallantry in the battle of Buena Vista. His son, General Worth Belknap, was secretary of war from 1869 to 1876. General Belknap remained from June until November, 1851. He died 10 November 1851 of a fever; enroute near Preston. A good well was dug for water. This is known as the Robert E. Lee well. There also was a good spring below the fort. But later this fort was abandoned because of lack of water supply. The fort consists of officers' quarters and two rooms, also camp officers' quarters of four rooms with passages in each block; old quarters' company kitchen with large stone fireplace and mess hall; library; guard house and sawmill. All these things made up Fort Belknap. Today it is located about five miles from the present town of Newcastle. Not all of Fort Belknap stands. But it stands as a monument in Texas history. |
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