Near Dawson in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Battle Creek Burial Ground

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

1. Battle Creek Burial Ground Marker

Inscription. A surveying party of 25 Texans ran into about 300 Kickapoo Indians on a buffalo hunt; failing to heed warning to leave, the Texans were ambushed on Oct. 8, 1838. Only seven survived, and four of these were wounded. After the escape, they came back to bury their comrades in a common grave.

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8271.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 31° 53.436′ N, 96° 44.382′ W. Marker is near Dawson, Texas, in Navarro County. It is on State Highway 263 Spur 0.1 miles north of State Highway 31, in the median. The marker and cemetery are located in a small road side park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8271 TX-263 Spur, Dawson TX 76639, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle Creek Massacre Memorial Monument (here, next to this marker); Former Site of Liberty Hill Settlement (approx. one mile away); Evangelist Lester L. Roloff (approx. 1½ miles away); Town of Dawson (approx. 1½ miles away); Britton Dawson Home (approx. 2.4 miles away); Braniff International Flight 352 (approx. 2½ miles away); Spring Hill (approx. 4.1 miles away); Hometown of Tris Speaker (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map

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Also see . . . Dedication of Battle Creek Marker. Navarro County Genealogy

Let me tell you about the ordeal of one of the survivors, Bullock Violet. He was badly wounded in the battle, having been shot in the thigh. The rest of the survivors carried him some two miles. He was in so much pain however, they had to leave him hidden in a ravine and go on to Fort Parker for help. In the meantime, Violet made a brace out of grass and sticks. He managed to limp and crawl along, traveling only at night and resting during the day. The only food he could find was wild berries. Believe it or not, he managed to crawl almost 18 miles to Tehuacana Springs where he was found by the rescue party.

(Submitted on January 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Closeup of the Battle Creek Burial Ground Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

2. Closeup of the Battle Creek Burial Ground Marker

The Battle Creek Burial Ground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

3. The Battle Creek Burial Ground

The view of the Battle Creek Burial Ground and Marker from the loop road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 17, 2023

4. The view of the Battle Creek Burial Ground and Marker from the loop road

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,940 times since then and 278 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.