The Cotton Road was an important early 1840s Texas trade and settler route (based on an Indian trace) that became truly critical during the Civil War, when Federal blockades of ports along the Gulf of Mexico shut off the flow of Southern cotton to markets abroad to Europe. The cotton trade was redirected by wagon train across the Texas Hill country to the border town of Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande.
A state historic marker at the Southwest corner of the Uvalde County courthouse grounds preserves the history of the Cotton Road to Eagle Pass, which was guarded by two early Uvalde County forts, the US Army's Fort Inge (established 1849, abandoned 1861, re-occupied by federal forces 1866, abandoned again 1884) and a later Confederate installation called Camp Dix (established 1862, abandoned 1864).
The marker reads as follows:
"(front of marker)
Fort Inge, Camp Dix (CSA)
A major road west from San Antonio forked in the area of these forts. One road went toward El Paso, the other to the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass. Travelers heading west "put on their guns" in this region, the start of hostile Indian country, troops from these posts guarded against Indian raids, bandits from Mexico, and marauders. Fort Inge, 4.5 mi. southeast, was on Cotton Road to Eagle Pass over which hundreds of wagons, oxcarts took cotton to Mexico in exchange for vital goods. Part defense line from Brownsville to El Paso. Occupied by volunteer cavalry. (see other side)
(Back of marker)
Camp Dix, located 7 mi. East. Established in 1862. Part of state frontier defense line a day's horseback ride apart from the Red River to the Rio Grande to protect frontier settlements. Occupied by Texas Frontier Regiment. Although Uvalde County voted 76 to 16 against secession, a number of men joined the Confederate Army. Some, being Unionists, moved to Mexico. The war brought hard times and a rash of Indian attacks. In 1863-64 when Federals held the lower Rio Grande, Eagle Pass became the chief export city for the Confederacy and wagon trains increased along the road. Often without food, clothing, horses, ammunition, the Confederate and State troops, backed by citizens' posses brought a measure of protection to this frontier region.
A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy.
Erected by the state of Texas 1964."
For more on the Cotton Road see here: (
visit link) and here: (
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More on Fort Inge: (
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And the history of the short-lived Camp Dix: (
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