by Worcester P. Bong

During the U.S. Civil War, the Union Army expanded its reach to the west. The Union’s goal—finding resources to finance their war effort. The establishment of the Arizona Territory, carved out of the New Mexico Territory, cleared the way to explore for precious metals, especially gold.

The discovery of gold in the central region of the Arizona Territory in May 1863 set the wheels in motion to establish a fort to protect miners and secure the new gold fields. The Walker party, consisting of miners and led by Captain Joseph R. Walker had found gold at the headwaters of the Hasiampa (later spelled Hassayampa) River, then later in Link (now named Lynx) Creek. Mining districts were quickly organized to regulate and manage mining claims.

The following month, Brig. General James H. Carleton, Commanding Department of New Mexico, receiving word of the gold discoveries, quickly dispatched John A. Clark, Surveyor-General of New Mexico, to investigate and report. Captain Nathaniel J. Pishon was given orders to escort Clark to the area.

In late August 1863, Captain Nathaniel J. Pishon reported that a site along Cienega Creek, approximately 65 miles southwest of the San Francisco Mountains and 25 miles north of the mining district, would be suitable for establishing a post. Besides clear water and timber, the surrounding grassy fields provided hay for the livestock.

Clark’s September 1863 report led Carleton to issue General Order #27. Issued on October 23, 1863, the order called for the establishment of a military post at or near the mining districts. This post would be named in honor of Brig. General Amiel Weeks Whipple, who died in the Battle of Chancellorsville.

On December 23, 1863, Major Edward B. Willis, commanding officer of two companies of the 1^st California Volunteer Infantry, officially established Fort Whipple at Cienega Creek (also known as Del Rio Springs), the location that Capt. Pishon suggested. Willis reported that a permanent location for the fort would be decided upon after a thorough visit by the new governor around Arizona Territory. The location of the territorial capital would factor into the fort’s permanent location.

Enroute since October 1863, territorial officials were on their way to the new post. In November Governor John Noble Goodwin and his party stopped in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, Carleton expressed concerns regarding the Confederate influence in the southern part of the territory. Carleton persuaded the governor to head to the central area of Arizona Territory. While in Santa Fe, Richard McCormick, Territorial Secretary, acquired a printing press to bring on the journey.

Departing Santa Fe for Fort Wingate, then west, the Governor’s Party officially inaugurated the government of the Arizona Territory in Navajo Springs on December 29, 1863. The party proceeded to Fort Whipple, arriving on January 22, 1864.

Governor Goodwin then set out to explore the territory to determine a permanent location for the fort and territorial capital. While the printing press would be used to print government proclamations and laws, the first issue of the Arizona Miner newspaper was published by McCormick at Fort Whipple on March 9, 1864.

Since most of the mining activity was 25 miles south of the fort, due to the increasing conflict between miners and the indigenous tribes, the fort was moved. The June 11, 1864 edition of the Santa Fe Gazette published Major Willis’ May 10, 1864 report to Carleton’s headquarters. Under instructions from Colonel Nelson Davis, the fort was relocated south and placed along Granite Creek. This new location was approximately two miles east of a town under consideration as the future seat of government for the Arizona Territory—Prescott.

“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1 The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.