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ARIZONA. - G. ANDERSON (19th century, American)
Camp Apache, Arizona,1876
[Camp Apache, Arizona]: August 5, 1876. Gray watercolour, highlighted with red, white, and blue watercolor, on paper. Image size: 16 1/4 x 21 inches, sheet size: 20 x 25 inches. Titled in block letters in the lower margin. Signed and dated lower mid-left image: 'G. Anderson / Aug. 5th 1876'. Excellent condition, three short marginal tears expertly repaired. Matted and glazed, in a modern decorated gilt frame.
A fine historical graphic record of one of the most storied of western forts: a panoramic view of Camp Apache, a U.S. Army stronghold in the Indian reservation established on the White Mountain River in southeastern ArizonaTerritory to control the White Mountain and Cibecue Apaches.
The Indian fighter General George Crook and his Apache Scouts (pacified Apaches who wore U.S.Army uniforms) operated from the base, attempting to control the marauding tendencies of the wild tribes. The fort was originally built in 1870 as Camp Ord under the supervision of Brevet Colonel John Green of the U.S. 1st Cavalry. It was renamed several times; first Camp Mogollon, then Camp Thomas, and then Camp Apache (its name when this drawing was done). It was not until 1879 that the post was finally called Fort Apache.
The camp is pictured in 1876, shortly after General August Valentine Kautz had taken command of the Department of Arizona. 'G. Anderson' is not a recorded artist. Possibly he was a soldier with some training in drawing stationed at Camp Apache. An American flag, painted, red, white, and blue (the only object in the painting not painted en grisaille) flies above the parade ground. The camp is shown in fine detail, in the valley of the White Mountain River, with canyons and mesas in the near distance. More than sixty buildings are depicted, including headquarters, the commanding officer's residence, junior officers' billets, enlisted men's barracks, squad huts, privies, and work sheds. At the camp entrance in the right foreground, functioning as a decorative cartouche for the picture, stands an Indian brave in a feathered head-dress, loincloth, and leggings, leaning on a long rifle.
In 1869, Green explained the strategic reasons for establishing the camp: 'I have selected a site for a military post on the White Mountain River which is the finest I ever saw. The climate is delicious, and said by the Indians to be perfectly healthy, free from all malaria. Excellently well wooded and watered. It seems as though this one corner of Arizona were almost its garden spot, the beauty of its scenery, the fertility of its soil and facilities for irrigation are not surpassed by any place that ever came under my observation. Building material of fine pine timber is available within eight miles of this site. There is also plenty of limestone within a reasonable distance. This post would be of the greatest advantage for the following reasons: It would compel the White Mountain Indians to live on their reservation or be driven from their beautiful country which they almost worship. It would stop their traffic in corn with the hostile tribes, they could not plant an acre of ground without our permission as we know every spot of it. It would make a good scouting post, being adjacent to hostile bands on either side. Also a good supply depot for Scouting expeditions from other posts, and in fact, I believe, would do more to end the Apache War than anything else'
Provenance: Kennedy Galleries (labels); Collection of Edward Eberstadt & Sons.
Howard R. Lamar (editor) New Encyclopedia of the American West (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1998), p.39.
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#18551 $15,000.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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