The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 53, July 1949 - April, 1950 Page: 204
538 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
broken up. They are not required here and should be sent elsewhere.
Lt. Fink informs me he requested instructions many months since
from the then chief Quartermaster (Lt. Col. Tompkinss) in regard
to disposing of them, but had received no orders on the subject.
There seems to me little advantage in continuing to occupy Fort
Martin Scott, and I think the discipline of the service would be pro-
moted by sending the detachment to its regiment. Forage for passing
trains might be purchased from dealers in Fredericksburg, at rates
fixed by the Quartermaster's Department, as is now done at Castro-
ville, and the necessity of detaching men more than ioo miles from
their companies as a guard to a small forage depot, would be thereby
obviated.
Continuing my journey from Fort Martin Scott, August 13th, I
reached Fort Mason, distant 45 miles N. N. W., the day following.
The country for some ten miles in advance of Fredericksburg is well
cultivated, but beyond that point there are no settlements. The road
is rather good, with the exception of a long and steep descent down
the rocky sides of a mountain, 15 miles from Fredericksburg, and the
occasional occurrence of narrow and precipitous arroyos or ravines,
in crossing which loaded wagons are apt to be broken. The Llano
River is met with nine miles before reaching Fort Mason. At the ford
it was extremely rapid, some 6o feet wide and two feet deep, flowing
over a rocky bed. The passage of this stream must often be hazardous
and sometimes impracticable.
XVII.-FoRT MAsoN-Ordered to abandoned, S. of W., letter 4 Nov, 53
(Inspected August 15, 1853.)
This post is situated 1io miles N. N. W. from San Antonio, on the
old trail leading thence to Santa F6, via the old Spanish Fort San
Saba. It lies between the Llano and San Saba rivers, 9 miles from
the point where the road crosses the Llano, 2 miles beyond Comanche
Creek, and 23 miles distant from the San Saba. The site is elevated
and salubrious, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding
country, stone and lime are procured in abundance in the immediate
vicinity, and an unfailing supply of pure spring water is found within
4oo yards. The post has direct road communication with Forts Mar-
tin Scott, Croghan, Chadbourne, and McKavett. Mail matter is
brought up weekly from San Antonio by special express. The build-
ings were constructed entirely by the command and are substantial
and comfortable. The land is private property, but I could not
98Daniel D. Tompkins graduated from the Military Academy in 18so. He was
breveted major on September 11, 1836, for gallantry against the Florida Indians
and lieutenant colonel on May o30, 1848, for meritorious conduct in the war with
Mexico. He died on February 26, 1863. Ibid., 965.2o4
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 53, July 1949 - April, 1950, periodical, 1950; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101126/m1/252/: accessed May 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.