1829 Cantonment Atkinson 1832 - Lake Charles, LA
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ggmorton
N 30° 14.097 W 093° 13.273
15R E 478715 N 3344841
A historical marker in Veterans Memorial Park in Lake Charles, LA placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Waymark Code: WM13AY8
Location: Louisiana, United States
Date Posted: 10/28/2020
Views: 2
"1829 Cantonment Atkinson 1832
A military post established by the federal government for the protection of Louisiana against illicit border warfare following the Louisiana Purchase
Placed by Calcasieu Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
November 20, 1940"
Reference: Pictured marker
"During the illicit warfare following the Louisiana Purchase, Calcasieu River and the chain of lakes through which it flows in its winding course to the Gulf of Mexico made a safe and swift passage to hideaways for pirates and trespassers. It was to protect our state and city from depredations that the cantonment, Camp Atkinson, was built by the Government.
Authority for the establishment of this post was given in a letter from headquarters of the Army, dated November 20, 1829, to Col. James B. Many, of the Seventh U. S. Infantry then stationed at Cantonment Jessup near Natchitoches. In this communication Colonel Many was instructed to detach one company of his regiment to establish a western boundary defense post at Lake Charles where the road from Galveston to New Orleans then passed. Such commerce as then existed moved over the Old Spanish Trail and along the Calcasieu River to the Gulf. A road connected with the old “Military Road” to Natchitoches.
The reason for this action was explained in a letter from the headquarters of the army the following year. This temporary post was established at the instance of the Treasury Department with a view of suppressing any illicit trade that might come from Mexico through the Gulf and up the Calcasieu River; and for this purpose the commanding officer of the troops was appointed as inspector of customs."
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