DUANE
Duane's take
The way the marker tells it, here's what happened on this ground right here in Mason County. On July 6, 1851, the U.S. Army established Fort Mason — a post planted firm on the frontier to serve as protection for the people pushing into that wide, uncertain land.
The Army named it in honor of Lieutenant George T. Mason, who had been killed in action near Brownsville on April 25, 1846. A name earned the hard way, carved into this hill for keeps.
Now, if you were to draw up a list of officers who walked this same ground, breathed this same Hill Country air, you might not believe it — but the marker backs every word. From 1856 to 1861, the 2nd U.S. Cavalry was stationed here at intervals, and among those officers were Albert Sidney Johnston, George H.
Thomas, Earl Van Dorn, and Robert E. Lee. Four names that would go on to loom enormous over the Civil War — and here they all were, at one time or another, at this same modest frontier post.
The war that would eventually scatter them to opposite sides hadn't started yet. They were just soldiers doing their duty out on the edge of things. Then came the reckoning.
On March 29, 1861, Federal troops evacuated Fort Mason. The country was coming apart, and this post didn't escape that. After the Civil War ran its course, Federal troops came back and reoccupied the fort, holding it until 1869.
Then it was done. What's left is the site, the story, and that name — Fort Mason — honoring a lieutenant who fell near Brownsville before any of those famous officers ever set foot here.
What the marker says
Established July 6, 1851 by the U. S. Army as a protection to the frontier. Named in honor of Lieut. George T. Mason, killed in action near Brownsville, April 25, 1846. Albert Sidney Johnston, George H. Thomas, Earl Van Dorn and Robert E. Lee, of the 2nd U. S. Cavalry, were stationed here at intervals from 1856 to 1861. Evacuated by Federal troops, March 29, 1861 and reoccupied after the Civil War until 1869. (1936)