Texas State Historical Association: The Frontier Forts of Texas

The system of frontier forts in Texas was established to protect Anglo settlers as well as those moving on westward. This article details the observations of Lt. Col. William Grigsby Freeman, who set out in 1853 to inspect a series of forts and report back to Washington. We learn about the lives and duties of the soldiers manning these forts. Other forts followed, then Texas seceded from the Union, and Civil War and the Indian Wars followed. The forts were eventually closed when they were no longer needed.