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Fort Bayard was founded in 1866 on the homelands of the Chihenne Apache and in the rich mining tracts established by the Spanish. Cathy Williams, the only known female Buffalo Soldier, served at both Fort Cummings and Fort Bayard as Private William Cathy, Co A, 38th Infantry until her gender was discovered during a visit to the post surgeon. She received a medical discharge from the Army in 1868. Chaplain Allen Allensworth, high ranking African American Officer, established the Fort Bayard School in 1888 in an unused ward at the post hospital for the Buffalo Soldiers.
In 1899, Fort Bayard ceased operations as an Army Post and became a world- renowned Army Hospital to fight the "Great White Plague." Trains from the east brought tubercular patients to Bayard Station, now the town of Bayard, NM. From there, they were transported to the U.S. Army Hospital via army ambulances. Under the leadership of Col George Bushnell, who served at Fort Bayard from 1904-1917, the Fort was converted to a medical facility and many new wards and housing areas were developed. A variety of trees and medicinal plants were also part of the new landscape. Presently Fort Bayard serves as a long-term care medical facility managed by GEO Care.
The Fort Bayard National Cemetery, with burials as early as 1866, is open to the public. Fort Bayard's Officers' Row still stands and a stature commemorating the Buffalo Soldiers is located on the adjacent parade ground.
To view a list of US Army units that served at Fort Bayard -- click Fort Bayard Units
Fort Bayard, located 5 miles east of Silver City on Highway 180, is a National Historic Landmark. To visit call (505) 388-4477 or (505) 388-9123. To learn more regarding Fort Bayard's history -- click here.
Fort Bayard now has a friend's group -- to access click www.fortbayard.org
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