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Old 03-04-2010, 07:04 AM
 
Location: Ruidoso, NM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bongo View Post
I looked it up in Place Names of New Mexico which said that it is named after the measurement, a furlong, which is 1/8 mile, possibly because that was the distance of the camp from the border.
I was guessing maybe it referred to the camp's boundaries - or perhaps the length of the parade ground. But looking at this wonderful album of old photos, it's apparent the military area sprawled over a very large area.

FORT FURLONG FOTOS

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Old 03-04-2010, 07:17 AM
 
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Great photos, jaxart!
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:12 PM
 
Location: SILVER CITY
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This installation was named Camp Furlong by General Orders, No. 9, War Department, 1937. It was named in honor of Major John W. Furlong, 13th Cavalry.

Major Furlong was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1891; he graduated number 15 in a class of 65. After graduation he served with the 1st and 6th Cavalry; served recruitment duty in Philadelphia, 1898-99 (Spanish-American War); served in China as an aide to M.G. Chaffee, 1900 (China Relief Expedition); served in the Philippines, 1900-1903; General Staff, Washington, DC, 1906-1910. He served at Columbus, Squadron CO, 13th Cavalry, January-March 1915. He was then at the Army and Navy Hospital, Hot Springs, Ark., March-April 1915, where he died April 4, 1915, following an operation for gastric ulcer, age 45.
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Old 03-04-2010, 08:40 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FORDJIM View Post
This installation was named Camp Furlong by General Orders, No. 9, War Department, 1937. It was named in honor of Major John W. Furlong, 13th Cavalry.

Major Furlong was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1891; he graduated number 15 in a class of 65. After graduation he served with the 1st and 6th Cavalry; served recruitment duty in Philadelphia, 1898-99 (Spanish-American War); served in China as an aide to M.G. Chaffee, 1900 (China Relief Expedition); served in the Philippines, 1900-1903; General Staff, Washington, DC, 1906-1910. He served at Columbus, Squadron CO, 13th Cavalry, January-March 1915. He was then at the Army and Navy Hospital, Hot Springs, Ark., March-April 1915, where he died April 4, 1915, following an operation for gastric ulcer, age 45.
Thanks, 40FORDJIM! I & Place Names of Alaska stand corrected! Thanks for the info.
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Old 03-04-2010, 08:45 PM
 
Location: SILVER CITY
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I live only about 80 miles from Columbus and have been there a few times. Also a distant relative of mine got involved after the raid , General John J Pershing, so I have a special interest. I don't cross the border anymore though.............Jim Pershing
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Old 03-05-2010, 08:48 AM
 
Location: Ruidoso, NM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FORDJIM View Post
This installation was named Camp Furlong by General Orders, No. 9, War Department, 1937. It was named in honor of Major John W. Furlong, 13th Cavalry.
Not doubting this, but the 1937 date makes no sense to me? The camp was active before WWI (ca. 1916) and already had the Furlong name then.

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Old 03-05-2010, 09:00 AM
 
Location: SILVER CITY
99 posts, read 314,687 times
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According to this historian it was not named Camp Furlong until later (1937) !

Enjoyed your online feature "On Camp Furlong Day, It's 1916 Again in Columbus" (March 2007). As I am researching an historical text on Camp Furlong, I want to pass on what I've found concerning the naming of the military camp and some info on Major Furlong.
Looking back on the early days, the installation was known as the Cavalry Post at Columbus, NM. Following the Villa attack on Columbus and the adjacent military installation, and as a result of a US Army troop buildup, the installation was called Headquarters, Punitive Expedition, US Army — Columbus, NM. After Pershing's expedition moved into Mexico, and as a result of supply and troop buildup at Columbus, the installation was known as Camp US Troops. This installation was named Camp Furlong by General Orders, No. 9, War Department, 1937. It was named in honor of Major John W. Furlong, 13th Cavalry.
Major Furlong was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1891; he graduated number 15 in a class of 65. After graduation he served with the 1st and 6th Cavalry; served recruitment duty in Philadelphia, 1898-99 (Spanish-American War); served in China as an aide to M.G. Chaffee, 1900 (China Relief Expedition); served in the Philippines, 1900-1903; General Staff, Washington, DC, 1906-1910. He served at Columbus, Squadron CO, 13th Cavalry, January-March 1915. He was then at the Army and Navy Hospital, Hot Springs, Ark., March-April 1915, where he died April 4, 1915, following an operation for gastric ulcer, age 45.
John L. Deuble, Jr.
Western Historian — Millitary Installations and Mining Camps
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Old 03-05-2010, 09:07 AM
 
Location: Ruidoso, NM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FORDJIM View Post
According to this historian it was not named Camp Furlong until later (1937) !


I can't find any references that suggest this isn't correct, but it does seem strange that the old encampment would have been renamed so many years after it was abandoned as a military installation. According to what I can find, it wasn't named as a State Park until 1974-75, so it's puzzling why there was a need to rename it in 1937. Would be interesting to find out what was behind that impetus.

And I hasten to thank you for the information. It should be posted to the Widipedia web pages that reference "Camp Furlong" and Columbus.


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Old 03-05-2010, 06:24 PM
 
Location: SILVER CITY
99 posts, read 314,687 times
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I contacted the author of the article and below is his reply. Apparently two government agencies were involved. I'm assuming "GO" means general order or government order. Hope this helps...........Jim Pershing

Camp Furlong was officially named by USArmy Southern Department in March 1916 [1st GO naming]. In 1937 the War Department issued a second GO naming the camp, Camp Furlong. All of this is covered in my forthcoming book "Camp Furlong - Columbus, New Mexico 1912 -1926."
John Deuble
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Old 03-06-2010, 07:38 AM
 
Location: Ruidoso, NM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FORDJIM View Post
In 1937 the War Department issued a second GO naming the camp, Camp Furlong.
Hmmm...still doesn't answer the question of WHY it was renamed in 1937, long after it became inactive and many years before there was any interest in making it part of a State Park? The other thing that occurs to me is; why after Major Furlong, who seems to have never been anywhere near the area according to the posted account of his duty tours? I'll have to get my hands on that book once it's available.

Thinking here about the naming of Ft. Stanton, NM - near where I live. It was named for a soldier named Stanton who was killed in action near the site of the present fort.

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