Far West Side in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
"Battle" of Adams Hill
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 17, 2026
1. "Battle" of Adams Hill Marker
Near this site, an early armed confrontation of the Civil War ended without bloodshed. On February 16, 1861 in San Antonio, General David E. Twiggs, commander of the U.S. Army Department of Texas, surrendered all federal military property in the state to forces under command of Ben McCulloch. Possession of the San Antonio Arsenal and 20 other installations statewide transferred to Texas forces, who permitted U.S. soldiers to march to the coast and leave Texas as soon as ships could be procured. After the outbreak of hostilities in the South in April, federal troops still in Texas were declared prisoners of war. There was, however, one unit still armed and not in Confederate custody. Marching southeast from Forts Bliss, Davis and Quitman in far west Texas were six companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry, a total of 347 men under the command of Lt. Col. I.V.D. Reeve.
Here On May 9 near San Lucas Spring, Col. Earl Van Dorn, Confederate commander of Texas, stationed 1300 men and six field pieces to meet Reeve. Federal troops took up a defensive position on Adams Hill, a half mile in front. After a six-week march from El Paso,
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Van Dorn sent a demand for surrender, but Reeve refused. Reeve rejected a second flag of truce with the same mandate. Van Dorn succeeded with his third request -- that Federal officers come over, see the Confederate strength and surrender peaceably. The move brought an end to the encounter without the firing of a shot. Reeve's men were made prisoners of war, interned and later exchanged. In February 1863, the last of the 8th U.S. Infantry left Texas in exchange for Confederate prisoners at Baton Rouge after more than 21 months of imprisonment.
Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14775.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1861.
Location. 29° 24.642′ N, 98° 39.807′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in the Far West Side. It is at the intersection of Hunt Lane and Adams Hill Dr, on the right when traveling south on Hunt Lane. Marker is located in Adams Hill Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2003 Hunt Lane, San Antonio TX 78245,
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 17, 2026
2. "Battle" of Adams Hill Marker
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hero Sentry Dog: Nemo A534 (approx. 2.3 miles away); C-9A "Nightingale" (approx. 2½ miles away); C-131A (T-29B) "Samaritan" (approx. 2½ miles away); Vought A-7D "Corsair II" (approx. 2.8 miles away); A-10A "Thunderbolt II" (approx. 2.8 miles away); P-38L "Lightning" (approx. 2.8 miles away); Chief Master Sgt. Lynn Steincamp (approx. 2.8 miles away); F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
