Fort Selden, New Mexico Troops, 1865-1891
Fort Selden was a U.S. Army post, occupying the area in what is now Radium
Springs, New Mexico. Established in 1865 for the purpose of protecting westward
settlers from Native American raids, the post fell into disrepair after the
American Civil War. It was ultimately abandoned in 1891, due in large part to
the decision to expand Fort Bliss and the lack of any expenditures for repair of
the facility.
Fort Selden was established in 1865 in an effort to bring peace among the varied
inhabitants in the south central region of present day New Mexico. Their primary
intent was to protect settlers and travelers in the Mesilla Valley from
desperados and Mescalero Apache Indians. Built near the banks of the Rio Grande,
the adobe fort housed units of U.S. Army Infantry and Cavalry.
The first troops to occupy the fort were companies of the 125th US Colored
Infantry Regiment, a group of African-American enlisted soldiers from Kentucky
who had been mustered into the Union Army near the close of the American Civil
War. Several of the units assigned later, including the 9th US Cavalry and 10th
US Cavalry, and stationed at the fort were also composed of black troopers,
sometimes referred to as Buffalo Soldiers. As a testament to their bravery, nine
Buffalo Soldiers received the Medal of Honor while serving in New Mexico
Territory.
Troops by Surname:
- Abbott, George - Auvanta
- Backworth, Thomas - Butze, Charles
- Cain, J.M. - Cyphen, James H.
- Dabney, George - Dyer, Edward
- Eagan, Peter - Furth
- Gadden, Joseph - Guttierez, Sebastian
- Hackeny - Hynes, Charles
- Illig, Morris - Juger
- Kaemen, Charles - Kurtz, John
- Lacy, John H. - Lytle, Leonidas S.
- Mackin, James - Murray, Timothy
- Naugenbaum, Ed - Quintana
- Rack, Albert - Rynerson, William L.
- Sacket - Swift
- Tattersall, John - Tyler, William W.
- Untin - Zufrison, Thomas
Buffalo Soldier, 9th Cavalry, 1890
Source: Southern New Mexico Genealogical Society, Marcena Thompson, and Charles Barnum.
