Fort Brown
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Fort Brown
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Period map of Fort Brown in the park exhibit.
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| Location | Brownsville, Texas, USA |
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| NRHP Reference # | 66000811 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
Fort Brown was a military post of the United States Army in Texas during the later half of 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.
In 1846, under orders from Zachary Taylor, Captain Joseph K. Mansfield built a star-shaped earthwork for 800 men called "Fort Texas" on the northern side of the Rio Grande, "by the order from General Taylor to command the city of Matamoros". The next year, the fort played a role during the opening of the Mexican–American War. During the Siege of Fort Texas, two Americans were killed, including Major Jacob Brown. In honor of the fallen major, General Zachary Taylor renamed the post Fort Brown. In 1849, the city of Brownsville, Texas, was established not far from the fort's grounds.
Major Samuel P. Heintzelman, while in command at the fort, coordinated with John Salmon Ford in the Cortina Troubles culminating in the Battle of Rio Grande City in 1859.
In 1861 Confederate Col. John "Rip" Ford occupied the fort until 1863 when they were finally driven out by Union forces under General Nathaniel P. Banks, who then camped in tents erected at the fort site. This ended in 1864 when Confederate forces under General James E. Slaughter and Colonel Ford reoccupied the area. They would hold the post until the end of the war when it was occupied again by Union forces under General Egbert Brown.
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