Fort Atkinson, one of the early military posts erected along the line of the Santa Fe trail, was located on the Arkansas river, about 26 miles below "The Crossing." The place known as "The Crossing" was not far from the present town of Cimarron, the county seat of Gray county, hence the location of Fort Atkinson was in what is now Ford county, some 6 or 8 miles up the river from Dodge City. On Aug. 8, 1850. Col. E. V. Sumner established "Camp Mackay" on the site, after a "treaty talk" had been held there with the Indians. Col. Sumner notified the war department on Sept. 10, 1850, that the spot was a suitable location for a permanent post. It was approved by General Order No. 44, dated Dec. 16, 1850, and Maj. Hoffman, with Company D, Sixth United States infantry, was ordered to begin the erection of the fort "as soon as the weather will permit." The fort was built of sod, covered with poles, brush, sod and canvas, and when completed was garrisoned by a detachment of the Sixth infantry commanded by Capt. Buckner. The post continued to be known as Camp Mackay until June 25, 1851, when the name was changed to Fort Atkinson. The soldiers quartered there gave it the name of "Fort Sod," and later "Fort Sodom," the latter no doubt having been inspired by the unsanitary conditions of the place and the fact that it was infested with vermin. While it was occupied by Capt. Buckner and his men, the fort was besieged by a large body of Comanches and Kiowas, who surrounded the fort and endeavored to cut off supplies. The garrison was relieved by the timely arrival of Maj. Chilton with a detachment of the First dragoons. Fort Atkinson was occupied by garrison until Sept. 22, 1853, when it was abandoned. It was temporarily reoccupied in June, 1854, by Companies F and H of the Sixth infantry, but on Oct. 2, 1854, the post was abandoned and the buildings destroyed to prevent their occupancy by the Indians. On Aug. 4, 1855, a postoffice was established at Fort Atkinson, with Pitcairn Morrison as postmaster, but it was discontinued on June 5, 1857.