Mertzon in Irion County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Dove Creek Battle/Texas Civil War Indian Trouble
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 10, 2018
1. Dove Creek Battle Marker Front
On January 8, 1865 eight miles east of here Confederate troops and Texas militiamen engaged a large party of Kickapoo Indians. The Indians, formerly hostile to the South, had entered Texas without authority and were making their way to Mexico. The troops attacked them and following five hours of desperate fighting, withdrew, having suffered the loss of 22 killed and 19 wounded. Indian losses from the encounter were probably less. Later raids by the Kickapoos were traced to the Dove Creek fight.
Erected by the State of Texas 1963
War brought turmoil to Indians living in Kansas and the Indian Territory, with unfortunate results for Texans on the frontier. Most Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles aided the South, while others adhered to the North. Few Comanches made a treaty with the South but a great majority, with their allies the Kiowas, held aloof from either side, and plundered the frontier at will. Apaches and Kickapoos did the same from Mexico. Texas and Confederate troops, despite poor arms and mounts, held defense lines until war's end.
Erected 1963 by State
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1865.
Location. 31° 15.526′ N, 100° 49.137′ W. Marker is in Mertzon, Texas, in Irion County. Marker is on North Park View Street north of West Sherwood Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 North Park View Street, Mertzon TX 76941, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Irion County (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sherwood Courthouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Sherwood Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Knickerbocker Schools (approx. 11.6 miles away); Knickerbocker (approx. 11.6 miles away); Arden Community (approx. 13.2 miles away).
Also see . . . Dove Creek, Battle of - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on November 11, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 10, 2018
2. Dove Creek Battle Marker Rear
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 10, 2018
3. Irion County Courthouse
The base of the marker is partially visible behind the hedges to the left of the sidewalk.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 561 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
