| Fort Crittenden | |
|---|---|
| Sonoita, Arizona | |
A plaque commemorating the establishment of Camp Crittenden. |
|
| Type | Army post |
| Built | 1867 |
| Built by | United States |
| In use | 1867 - 1873 |
| Controlled by | Arizona |
| Occupants | United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Apache Wars |
Fort Crittenden, originally Camp Crittenden, was a United States Army post built in 1867 three miles from Sonoita, Arizona along Sonoita Creek. It was established for campaigning against the Apache and to protect American pioneers in the area.[1]
Fort Crittenden was named for Colonel Thomas L. Crittenden, who commanded the 5th Division in the Army of the Ohio at Shiloh, the Left Wing of the Army of the Cumberland at Stones River, and the XXI Corps at Chickamauga during the American Civil War. It was established on August 10, 1867 at the head of Davidson Canyon. Fort Buchanan was located a half mile from Fort Crittenden in 1856 but was destroyed during a battle in 1865. The fort was closed on June 1, 1873. Deteriorating adobe walls and dirt mounds mark the site which is on private property.[1]