Fort Jesup State Historic Site

Fort Jesup State Park is an extremely critical historic location with regard to the Westward Expansion of the United States. Lt. Col. Zachary "Old Rough & Ready" Taylor was ordered in 1822 to abandon Fort Selden, LA overlooking the confluence of Bayou Pierre and Red River and move West to a position on the El Camino Real (LA hwy 6) in the center of the Sabine Strip. At this time the "disputed 45 mile wide strip of land from the Sabine River 45 miles East into Louisiana was called the 'Sabine Strip'". This "Strip" had been a disputed "no man's land" since 1713 when France built Ft. St. Jean Baptiste which became Natchitoches the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The French claimed the middle of the Sabine River to be the international border while the Spanish in Texas claimed all of the Sabine River plus 45 miles East. The Spanish hurried to present day Robeline, LA and built the mission and fort Presidio Los Adaes in 1720 to protect it's lands from French encroachment. Later in the 18th Century the Spanish moved back across the Sabine but never changed their claim on "the Sabine Strip". In 1821 when the new nation of Mexico overthrew Spanish rule they now ruled Mexico, Texas and the lands of what would become New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. A few years prior to this the US under Pres. Thomas Jefferson had purchased the Louisiana Purchase from France under Napoleon Bonaparte. Thus, with large expanses of the continent changing hands the US wanted to wield it's influence and power as well. As a result Lt. Col. Taylor marched his regiment of infantry to a predetermined position on the El Camino Real and deliberately built a fort in the middle of the disputed Sabine Strip. Portions of this fort or cantonment are still visible today at Fort Jesup State Park. Ft. Jesup was the eyes & ears of the United States Army along the international border with Mexico. While Mexico still viewed the "Strip" as Mexican territory they didn't challenge the actions of the US. As outlaws, ruffians and thieves wood commit crimes in both Mexico and the US escaping safely into the "disputed Strip" Mexico didn't complain about having their Eastern border patrolled by US troops. During this time citizens of the US were migrating to Mexican Tejas to colonize and receive land grants if they swore allegiance to Mexico and became Catholic. This migration became a problem as these former US citizens were used to American law and American ways of conducting business. This led to the Texas Revolution, the Alamo, Gonzales and the Mexican defeat at San Jacinto. US soldiers were allowed to quietly "desert" and join with the Texan Revolutionary's to defeat the Mexican Army at San Jacinto as long as they returned to Fort Jesup with a signed note from General Sam Houston stating they had been under his command. Upon their return their "desertion" was changed to read, "On detached duty." Texas became a Republic but the Government of Mexico in Mexico City never recognized this fact. Further, their continued to be disputes between Mexico & the Republic of Texas over anything especially the border of Texas & Mexico. From Fort Jesup the United States watched West across the Sabine River and the President was kept apprised on all events. Then, when James K. Polk was elected to the office of President he determined to ask Congress to "annex" The Republic of Texas into the United States. When this happened now General Zachary Taylor was ordered by the President to take his "Army of Observation" from Fort Jesup and march across the Sabine River into the new state of Texas and proceed to the banks of the Rio Grande River and guard the US's newest international border. The US was fully aware that Mexico did not recognize the Republic of Texas nor did it recognize the US's annexation of Texas. Therefore Gen. Taylor's "Army of Observation" was reclassified as the "Army of Invasion" upon crossing the Sabine River. Thus politically and militarily the beginning of the Mexican War began at the frontier post of Fort Jesup, LA.
5 7 years ago (18-04-2018)