First
established on November 27, 1850 as
the government exerted control over the new California territory acquired as a
result of the Mexican-American War, it was originally located in the bottoms near
the Colorado River, less than a mile below the mouth of the Gila.
In
March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank,
opposite the present city of Yuma, Arizona.
Previously
on this site stood the Spanish Mission Puerto de la Purísima Concepción (1780 -
1781). A mission guard of 22 soldiers had been posted here for protection, the
site deemed too remote for a formal presidio. It was attacked and destroyed by
Quechen Indians in the July 1781 Yuma Revolt, killing over 100 Spaniards,
mostly new colonists bound for San Diego. No remains.
This
site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for John C. Calhoun, established
on October 2, 1849, by 1st lieutenant Cave J. Couts, 1st Dragoons, for the
boundary survey party led by 2nd Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple, Corps of
Topographical Engineers. A ferry service, maintained by the soldiers for the
survey party's convenience, also accommodated emigrants. Fort Yuma was
established to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt
control of the warlike Yuma Indians in the surrounding 100-mile area. The
Yuma warriors were the bane of the Spanish and the Mexicans who were not able
to keep this important land trail open on a regular basis due to their
determined attacks.
Established
by Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman, 2nd Infantry, it was originally named Camp
Independence. In March 1851, when the post was moved to its permanent site, its
name was changed to Camp Yuma. A year later the post was designated Fort Yuma.
In June 1851 the Army virtually abandoned the post because of the high costs
incurred in maintaining it, and it was completely abandoned on December 6,
1851, when its commissary was practically empty of provisions.
The post, however, was reoccupied by Captain Heintzelman on February 29, 1852.
As
with the other forts in California during this period, Fort Yuma was inspected
by Colonel Mansfield, Inspector General of the Army, on 4-7 Jun 1854. He prepared a report for the Army and a drawing
of the layout of the Fort. He found it
with an available force of 5 officers and 106 enlisted men including the
commander, Maj. Heintzelman. He found the quarters to be made of willows and
worthless. Subsequent plans were drawn up and approved for good temporary
quarters for two companies. Two supply routes were now in place, one by small
steamer up from the mouth of the Colorado River and one by a land route from
the New San Diego Depot. Both routes were expensive in terms of cost and time.
Col. Mansfield noted that it seldom rained and that sand storms could shut out
the rays of the sun.
The
following are excerpts of Colonel Mansfield's 1854 report, which gives this
history a more in-depth insight into the conditions and life at this early
Fort:
"Fort
Yuma is beautifully situated on an eminence about 80 feet high directly
opposite the junction of the Gila with the Colerado, and at the crossing of the
Colerado by emigrant trail from El Paso on the Rio Grande, and affords
protection to emigrants, and is one link in a chain of posts that should be
established on the route to El Paso. It is well selected and should be
maintained. It is 220 miles from San Diego, 275 miles from Los Angeles, and 600
miles on Cooks Route to El Paso via the Pimos Villages, which are 185 miles
distant. It is 150 miles from the mouth of the Colerado, about 150 miles below
the big Canon, which is supposed to extend from 200 to 300 miles, a few hundred
yards from the boundary line and one of its monuments on the opposite side of
the Colerado, in latitude 32 degrees 43 minutes… and longitude 7 hours, 38
minutes... It has a commanding and extensive view, with Pilot Knob in the
distance lifting its head above the horizon for a beacon. It was once a mission
station but destroyed by the Indians. The water of the Colerado, a very rapid
stream, is good for drinking, and it is navigable for small steamers to the
Gulf of California, and supplies are being furnished that way direct from San
Francisco which not doubt will result in a great saving of expense over the
transportation across the desert 100 miles with bad water and no grass, 120
miles over steep mountains and bad roads in wagons exposed to the hazard and
suffering consequent to such trips. This mode of supplying will undoubtedly
eventuate in making this post a sub depot for the supply of such post as will
probably be established on the route to El Paso. And here I would remark I
shall again refer to this subject under the head of post recommended and
endeavour to designate localities, sites, or positions which would open this
route to monthly mail and stage across the country to San Diego or Los Angeles.
The Gila is not at all seasons a running stream, and the water is not good, and
stands at times in pools in its bed. There are two ferries, one just below the
fort and the other at the point of rocks within six miles of this post and a
trading house kept by G. F. Hooper, the sutler of the post, at Algodones, about
11 miles further down the river. The whole white population within 100 miles is
confined to the ferries and store above mentioned, and probably never exceeds
15 men. There is good grazing, abundance of wood, and a garden for vegetables
no doubt can be established here by irrigation.
The
Yuma Indians in this vicinity number about 300 warriors armed with bows and
arrows and are of sulky and uncertain character and not to be trusted. There
are other Indians in this quarter-say within 150 miles-which, combined with
these, might raise the number to 1,000 warriors. For a sketch of this position
see D hereunto appended.
Fort
Yuma as drawn by Colonel Mansfield in 1854. Courtesy of the National Archives.
This
post is under the command of Brevet Major S. P. Heintzelman of the 2d Infantry.
It was established by him in 1850, and was abandoned by Captain D. Davidson of
the 2d Infantry without authority and again reoccupied by Major Heintzelman in
February 1852. Attached to this post is Assistant Surgeon R. O. Abbott. The
force consist of Company D, 2d Infantry, 41 in the aggregate, Captain and
Brevet Major S. P. Heinzelman…A detachment of Company I, 1t Artillery, from the
Mission in San Diego, 17 in the aggregate, commanded by 2n Lieutenant A. J.
Slemmer, who is also acting commissary of subsistence, and assistant
quartermaster…. A detachment of Company F, 3rd Artillery, from the Mission of
San Diego, 51 in the aggregate, commanded by 1t Lieutenant J. S. Mason…. No
Musicians at this post. ……. The discipline of this post is good, and the troops
have been instructed-their arms and equipments in good serviceable order. Major
Heintzelman gave a very handsome battalion drill and some target firing. There
are two 12-pounder mountain howitzers in good serviceable order and a suitable
supply of ammunition for all arms of the service, but no magazine, and the
powder is piled in the center of the parade and covered with tarpaulin and
secure against the weather. The quarters of the men and Officers and
storehouses and hospital, being constructed of willows, with the single
exception of the commanding officer's quarters just erected of adobes, are
worthless. General Wool has subsequently directed that good temporary quarters
be erected here for at least two companies on a plan of Major Heintzelman,
approved by the quartermaster and recommended by myself, which were well
adapted to the locality.
The
Medical Department is well managed by Dr. Abbott, and the sick are as well
cared for as the hospital would admit.
Lieutenant
Slemmer has in his hands, as commissary of subsistence, 1,468 27/100 dollars
and as assistant quartermaster, 150 dollars kept in an iron safe. Major Heintzelman,
as recruiting officer, has in his hands 52 dollars. The post fund is in dept 17
84/100 dollars. George F. Hooper is sutler and gives satisfaction.
The
supplies of this post are good and obtained from San Francisco either direct by
water, or via the sub depots at New San Diego by land, with the exception of
hay and wood which are had by cutting from two to ten miles off. A garden has
been established here, but owing to the saline soil and want of suitable
moisture, has been a failure. It will however be undertaken again. As before
observed, the water of the Gila is brackish, but that of the Colerado is good
and permanent. Major Heintzelman is entitled to great credit for the
improvements in the roads, and for the manner he has supplied the post with
water. By a force pump and mule power, seated on the bank of the river, he
raises the water into a reservoir about eighty feet high, and above the level
of the parade, and conducts the water, after it has settled, by pipes into a
reservoir near the parade, where the garrison get an abundant supply.
The
ration of coffee and sugar at this post in not enough, and a complaint was made
of too much salt meat and too few vegetables.
A
small steamer now plies between this post and the mouth of the Colerado, a
distance of about 150 miles, and has a contract for the transportation of
supplies. The present road to San Diego in places very bad, particularly over
the steep mountains and thro' the narrow Canon. An appropriation of 10,000
dollars on this road judiciously expended would be very advantageous, not only
to the Government, but for emigrants.
A
drawing showing the scene at Fort Yuma in the 1860s. Artist is unknown. Thef
ort is in the upper background on a knoll 80 feet above the river. Source: Fort
Yuma On The Colorado River by Colonel H. B. Wharfield, USAF, Retired.
It
seldom rains here, and the sand storms from the desert, at times, fill the
whole atmosphere and shut out the rays of the sun.
There
was great harmony among the officers here, and they all mess together.
Colonel
McCall inspected this post in 1852.
Since
I left, I understand Brevet Major G. H. Thomas, 3d Artillery, with his command,
has relieved Major Heintzelman, and the detachments of Companies I and F from
the Mission of San Diego."
Fort Yuma became known as the hottest
post in the U.S. Army with 110+ degree temperatures in the summer time. The
post was also dangerous, as evidenced by a large graveyard.
The post became a stop on the
Butterfield Overland Mail Route (1857-1861) and the El Paso-Fort Yuma Stage
Line.
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Sources:
https://www.northamericanforts.com/West/ca-south1.html#yuma
Wikipedia
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