Near Leesville in Gonzales County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
1835 Attack at Sandies Water Hole
Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2021
1. 1835 Attack at Sandies Water Hole Marker
Native American raids were a major concern of DeWitt's Colony, which settled in this area after its 1825 establishment. To protect the colonists, Green DeWitt built a fort in Gonzales and requested troops and a cannon from Mexican authorities. In 1835, a party of thirteen French and Mexican traders, en route from Natchitoches, Louisiana to Mexico, camped at Sandies Water Hole (1 mi. E). A large group of what is believed to be Comanche attacked the party. The engagement lasted several hours, resulting in the death of all thirteen men. The colonists did not receive further protection from the Mexican government, and attacks continued at Sandies Water Hole into Texas statehood.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16602.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 29° 22.845′ N, 97° 45.006′ W. Marker is near Leesville, Texas, in Gonzales County. It is on State Highway 80 0.6 miles south of County Highway 114, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nixon TX 78140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Also see . . . DeWitt's Colony.
DeWitt's colony, one of the major colonies in the settlement of Texas, was established by Green DeWitt and James Kerr in 1825. Stirred by Stephen F. Austin's success, DeWitt petitioned the Mexican government to become an empresario as early as 1822, but was frustrated in his attempt. He was inspired to try again after the passage of the new federal colonization law of 1824 and after having met Austin, with whom he continued to have a close relationship. Austin's influence, together with Baron de Bastrop's helped DeWitt to petition the Mexican government successfully on April 7, 1825, for an empresario contract to settle "four hundred industrious Catholic families...known to be respectable and industrious," and also any equally respectable families of Mexican nationals who "shall come to settle with us."(Submitted on February 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed by James Hulse, February 21, 20212. The 1835 Attack at Sandies Water Hole Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2021
3. The view from the road of the two markers
Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2021
4. The Historical road sign of the two markers
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,170 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
