Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-04-22
OLD FORT SAM HOUSTON.

When the war department ISSUED
the order for the mobilization OF
troops near the Mexican boundary
san Antonio and Fort Sam Houston
achieved pew fame over night, says
the Coming Country.
In Fort Sam Houston. the second
largest army post in America, san
Antonio has one Of the show places
Of the army. The reservation is
beautifully situated in the suburbs of
the city. and aside from its military
interest its immense area and scenic
beauty make it attractive To visit.
From a post of 300 acres Fort Sam
Houston has been enlarged until it
now comprises some 94i acres Of
ground. The buildings and improve
ments represent an expenditure of
nearly 100000. The fort occupies a
peculiarly strategic position. 1t is
only $50 miles from the gulf and on
railroad lines leading north, south,
east and west It is close To the
Mexican boundary line, so that troops
can he moved rapidly to the border,
should the occasion demand.
In addition to Fort Sam Houston
the government owns some $4,000
acres, the Leon Springs reservation.
located about seventeen miles north
west Of San Antonio. This reserva-
ton is used each year by the national
guard and attachments Of regulars as
a training school AS many as TO-
600 troops have been in camp there
for a month at a time
Long before Fort Sam Houston was
established on the eminence IT occu-
pies San Antonio was almost con-
stantIy garrisoned. Six different flags
have floated above the city, and
martial music is a familiar sound to
her people Time after time shot
and shell have swept her streets. and
history been made I'm her envirOns.
More engagements have taken place
in sight of Fort Sam Houston than
anywhere else on American soil.
Not far from the fort are the San
Pedro Springs, where rival Indian
tribes contended for the precious
waters long before the famous mis-
sions about san Antonio were built.
The adventurous Spaniards and the,
Jealous monks pitched their tents be-
side the stream that flows from these
springs. and mute testimony of early
conflicts have been upturned by the
shell, sword hits and an
occasional cannon telling of the con-
flicts which were waged hereabouts.
But the story of all these early con-
flicts pales into insignificence along
side the story of the Alamo. In early
days the Alamo was utilized for mill
tary purposes. After several changes
the post of Fort Sam Houston was
and the Quadruple build
ing erected in 1875. In 1883 what is
known as the Upper Post was con-
structed and quarters were provided
for a regiment of infantry. From
that on to the present the garrison
has been frequently enlarged TO make
the fort a brigade post.
Many noted military men have been
stationed at Fort Sam Houston ere
Generals Robert f. Lee and Joseph f
Johnston did a part of their service
1t was i'm san Antonio that General
Lee resigned his commission and cast
his lot with the COnfederacy. The
Grants, father and son. were both
stationed at Fort Sam Houston. as
were also Twigg, Augur, Hood, Sheri-
dan, McKibbon. LawtOn, Bliss. Stan
ley. Scofield, Williams, Shafter and
others of national reputation.
1t was at San Antonio that Col.
Roosevelt at a later day organized.
and drilled the Rough
Riders 1t was san Antonio which