June 2014 Enlarge Camp Ford Trail Expanded Stockade Panel
 
With over 2000 POWs from the battles at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill (April 8-9, 1864) and more that would follow, the stockade was quadrupled in size. Not having sufficient labor to accomplish the task fast enough, the stockade was cut and logs of six feet in height made the expanded stockade. Escape was much easier, but the distance to Union lines hindered chances of success. A tunnel was built in secret by prisoners prior to the expansion which was rendered useless because it ended inside the new stockade.
 
William Bozic photo

June 2014 Enlarge Camp Ford Park
 
This park is located just Northeast of Tyler, Smith County, Texas. On June 13, 2014 there was not much signage on the road to advertise the site, but a surprising number of people visited on a weekday afternoon. Over 5,000 Union troops were incarcerated here, making this the largest Union POW camp west of the Mississippi River. Descendants of those who were prisoners, guards, or of those Confederates who trained near this location seemed to find this park. We witnessed people with books, paper, and cameras touring the replica buildings and walking the trails, but could envision naturalists enjoying the flora and fauna, too. NOTE: All photos from Camp Ford taken to avoid any identifiable vehicles or people.-A difficult task.
 
William Bozic photo

(3-01) Camp Ford Information Marker
  
Marker text

(3-01) Looking west along the south wall near the southeast corner of the extended section of the camp

(3-01) Looking north along the extended east wall near the southeast corner of the extended section

(3-01) Looking northwest from a point just west of the southeast corner of the extended section of the camp

(3-01) Location of a prior archaeological dig at an original vertical support post

(3-01) North view of the original east wall from near the south wall