Fort Clark Springs

One branch of the Comanche war trail ran through here down into Mexico.  Later the same route would be used to move US troops.  Fort Clark was part of  the Chihuahua road, joining Fort Clark with other southwest posts [and was] widely used by the US miltary from 1850-1880.  [THC, Entrance Fort Clark U.S. 90]. 

Senor Marquis de Rubi passed by here in 1767 going north on his way to inspect Presidio San Saba.  From his log:

"July 17 .. Having completed the vexing work of crossing the river this morning (Rio Grande) .. At the foot of [a] hill we found a large tank produced by a spring located in its center, and the overflow pours over the entire extension of the road.  We named it Cabecera de las Moras, where we camped having gone 14 leagues.  About halfway, we saw an abandoned Apache encampment, where some stubble still remained from last year's crops .. "

Rubi was at Fort Clark Springs.  The creek south of the springs that drains to the Rio Grande is to this day called Las Moras Creek.  It joins the Rio Grande about 5 miles upriver from the ford that Rubi used [Jackson & Foster p 109].  That ford probably pre-dated both Rubi and the Comanches.  

TerraServer

Arrow shows Las Moras Creek's direction of flow to Rio Grande.

Click on image ...

Seminole Indian Scouts

West of Bracketville (Fort Clark Springs) is a cemetery where many black troops -- Seminole Indian Scouts -- that played key roles in the Indian Wars are buried.