Six Chaplains serve Fort Concho

Conexión San Angelo newsroom, Jim Sánchez

Photo of Dunbar from orderofcenturions.org/chapel website Fort Concho Chaplain, George Ward Dunbar was among six chaplains assigned to the Fort between 1868-1880. Fort Concho Director, Robert Bluthardt’s presentation was titled “God on the Western Military Frontier.”

SAN ANGELO – In 1867 when Fort Concho was established, the President of the United States, Andrew Johnson appointed chaplains whose primary purpose was to serve the religious needs of U.S. Cavalry soldiers.

Fort Concho Director, Robert Bluthardt, guest speaker of Tom Johnston, Tom Green County Historical Society President, spoke on the topic of “God on the Western Military Frontier.” The meeting was held in the Officers’ Quarters #8 barracks at Fort Concho on Monday, January 16, 2023

Mr. Bluthardt’s presentation covered six chaplains assigned to Fort Concho between 1868, and 1880. The six chaplains role modeled before the soldiers, intrinsic traits such as kindness, morality, compassion, etc.

Bluthardt stated that among the chaplain’s religious duties also included were: education, supervision of the post bakery, being in charge as a librarian,

One of those chaplains, George Ward Dunbar’s major contribution was construction of the Schoolhouse/Chapel begun in 1878, and eventually occupied by February 1879. It would be the last major building erected at the Fort.

Dunbar, former Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, arrived at Fort Concho on October 21, 1876. In the summer of 1879, Reverend Dunbar suffered heat exhaustion. His illness kept him from performing his duties as chaplain. In June 1880, he requested a leave of absence. Although he recovered, Dunbar never returned to Fort Concho.

He later transferred to Fort Yates, Dakota territory. From there he served at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, and the military fort on Alcatraz Island before he retired in 1897. Dunbar’s bio provided per https://www.waymarking.com/waymark

The six Fort Concho chaplains who served are as follows:

Thaddeus McFalls 1868-1869

Manuel Joaquin Gonzalez Norman Badger 1871-1876

Elijah Dean George Ward Dunbar Francis Weaver 1880-1882