Wilson in Lynn County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017
1. Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp Marker
At or near this spot, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, with two companies of United States 4th Cavalry, was overtaken on Dec. 4, 1874, by a snowstorm. Forced to spend the night here without wood or water, or grass for the horses, troops called this the most miserable night of their duty in the Southwest. Several horses froze to death.
MacKenzie was hunting here for straggling Indians, during last weeks of 1874 campaign to confine tribes to reservations.
On Dec. 5 his troops reached Tahoka Lake, where they found shelter under a cliff.
Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4827.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is December 4, 1874.
Location. 33° 19.268′ N, 101° 43.79′ W. Marker is in Wilson, Texas, in Lynn County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 211 and 16th Street, on the right when traveling east on Farm to Market Road 211. Marker is on the southwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1543 FM211, Wilson TX 79381, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Texas’ South Plains. It is also on the American Great Plains and specifically on the Southern Plains. 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 Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spanish Explorers' Route (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson Mercantile Company (approx.
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Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017
2. Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 11, 2017
3. Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 633 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on December 26, 2025, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
