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August 17th, 1861.
"On the march and at 10 o'clock we arrive at Ft. McKavitt which we find beautifully situated on a high elevation, at the base of which runs the San Saba river. The buildings of the Post are constructed of stone and are sadly out of repair as there is no Troops here nor has there been for several years; there is however a family living here that must be in league with the Indians or they could never live out here. The water and grass is very find and we all thought the WATER X L N T."
--- Pvt. W.W. Heartsill Co. F, 2nd Reg't, Texas Mounted Rifles
This diary entry, as relayed to me by Larry Morgan, was written three weeks before Co. E, 1st Texas Mounted Rifles was shifted down from Camp Concho, near present day Grape Creek Texas (45 miles overland to the north west), to Fort McKavett. The Federal Army had abandoned the post in 1859 and the family that owned the land being leased by the US government for the location of the fort, holed up in the commanding officer's quarters during the entirety of the Civil War. The poor quality of mortar rendered from the lime kiln on site by the soldiers led to the crumbling of the buildings as described by Pvt. Heartsill. By the time the Federal Army returned in 1867/8 the majority of the buildings would have to be rebuilt.
"On the march and at 10 o'clock we arrive at Ft. McKavitt which we find beautifully situated on a high elevation, at the base of which runs the San Saba river. The buildings of the Post are constructed of stone and are sadly out of repair as there is no Troops here nor has there been for several years; there is however a family living here that must be in league with the Indians or they could never live out here. The water and grass is very find and we all thought the WATER X L N T."
--- Pvt. W.W. Heartsill Co. F, 2nd Reg't, Texas Mounted Rifles
This diary entry, as relayed to me by Larry Morgan, was written three weeks before Co. E, 1st Texas Mounted Rifles was shifted down from Camp Concho, near present day Grape Creek Texas (45 miles overland to the north west), to Fort McKavett. The Federal Army had abandoned the post in 1859 and the family that owned the land being leased by the US government for the location of the fort, holed up in the commanding officer's quarters during the entirety of the Civil War. The poor quality of mortar rendered from the lime kiln on site by the soldiers led to the crumbling of the buildings as described by Pvt. Heartsill. By the time the Federal Army returned in 1867/8 the majority of the buildings would have to be rebuilt.