Camp Ford Stockade
Confederate Prisoner of War Camp
The initial prisoners to arrive at Camp Ford were kept in the open with no stockade. Panic resulted with the arrival with over 600 prisoners October 23, 1863. The Camp Commander, Col. R.T.P. Allen, with only 40 guards, discovered a plot among the prisoners for a mass break out. Planters in the area were called upon to bring their slaves and erect a stockade. The work commenced on November 11 and within 10 days an area of about three and a half acres was enclosed with a wall made of split logs standing sixteen feet out of the ground.
The west wall ran about ten yards east of this location. The main gate was not discovered during the archaeological work, but is thought to be about 75 yards to the south. Immediately outside the gate was the "wolf pen" where prisoners would be held for disciplinary reasons, as well as a cabin for the officer on guard.
Marker can be reached from U.S. 271 near Loop Texas Road 323.
Courtesy hmdb.org
