Camp Watson
Camp Watson was a United States Army camp in central Oregon which operated from 1864 through 1869.
History
[edit]Camp Watson was established by Oregon Volunteers on July 10, 1864. The 1st Oregon Cavalry built several log buildings, but no surrounding palisade. The location was chosen to protect the route of the Dalles-Boise Military Road and its travelers, notably gold miners, from attacks by "Snake Indians" during the Snake War. The camp was abandoned in 1869 following the end that war.
Naming
[edit]The camp was named for Second Lieutenant Stephen Watson, who was killed in battle with Snake Indians on May 18, 1864 at Luelling Springs, Oregon. His body was recovered the following day and buried temporarily at Camp Maury until a metal coffin was sent from Fort Dalles, at which point he was moved to Fort Vancouver, Washington where he now lies.
Today
[edit]Today the location of Camp Watson is in Wheeler County, Oregon near the unincorporated area of Antone, approximately twenty-three miles east-southeast of the town of Mitchell (all of which were founded after Camp Watson was abandoned).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]44°29′07″N 119°53′38″W / 44.48528°N 119.89389°W
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- Pacific Coast Theater of the American Civil War
- Oregon in the American Civil War
- Military installations in Oregon
- Former installations of the United States Army
- Buildings and structures in Wheeler County, Oregon
- American Civil War army posts
- 1864 establishments in Oregon
- 1869 disestablishments in Oregon
- Snake War
- American Civil War stubs