The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 51, July 1947 - April, 1948 Page: 350

aotes aNd DocuICeHts
W. rema's Report oa the eighth Alitary
Department
Edited by M. L. CRIMMINS
(Continued)
The floods which detained me at Fort Ewell having partially sub-
sided, I resumed my journey, June 17th, and reached Fort Merrill,
distant 87 miles, and in a direction nearly due East, the morning of
the 21st. The road in the first part of its course traverses extensive
salt marshes, which often become impassible from rains, but changes
as it approaches Fort Merrill to a rolling prairie and hilly country.
In dry weather this road is tolerably good, but, at such times, there
must be a scarcity of water, as few places throughout the route can
be relied upon except the points where it touches the river-at the
bend of the Nueces, 30 miles, and the Rocky Crossing, 59 miles from
Fort Ewell.
IV.-FORT MERRILL81- (Inspected June 21, 1853.)
This post stands near the south bank of the Nueces river, at the
point where the San Antonio and Corpus Christi road crosses it, in
latitude 280 lo N., and longitude 980 W. It is distant about loo miles
S. S. E. from San Antonio, and 60 miles N. W. from Corpus Christi,
and communicates by express weekly with each of those places. The
site is high, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country
which is exempt from overflows of the river. A flat boat is used for
ferriage, the river not being fordable except in low stages of water.
Figure A (accompanying) exhibits a rough plan of the post.
Companies E and I of the Rifle regiment constituted the regular
garrison of Fort Merrill prior to April 26, 1853, when they were
transferred to Fort Ewell, leaving behind as guard two non-commis-
sioned officers and thirteen men, under 2d Lieut. Alexander McRae,
who was in command at the time of my visit. With this small force
little was attempted beyond posting a sentinel nightly for the pro-
tection of the public property. I found the arms and clothing of the
31Fort Merrill was established on the right bank of the Nueces River, about
twenty-five miles northwest of Corpus Christi, on December 1, 1855, and its site
is now the town of Casa Blanca. Hamersley, Complete Army Register, Pt. II, 145;
Texas Almanac, 1936, p. 127.