Near Comstock in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Medal of Honor Fight, 1875

Photographed By William F Haenn, May 29, 2012

1. Medal of Honor Fight, 1875 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In the 1870s, the U.S. Army relied on Black Seminole (Seminole-Negro) Indian scouts in campaigns against raiding Native Americans along the Texas-Mexico border. In April 1875, Lt. John L. Bullis and three scouts -- Sergeant John Ward, Private Pompey Factor and Trumpeter Isaac Payne -- left Fort Clark to scout for raiders in this area. After four days, they found a fresh trail and on April 25, within a half-mile of this site, they engaged a party of about 30 Comanche Indians with dozens of horses. Outgunned and outnumbered, the scouts withdrew, but Bullis' horse bolted, stranding him. Factor and Payne provided cover fire, and Ward rescued his Lieutenant. The three Seminole scouts later received Medals of Honor for their gallantry.

Erected 2006 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 13504.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1875.

Location. 29° 42.371′

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N, 101° 21.201′ W. Marker is near Comstock, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 90. From Del Rio take US 90 about 45-50 mile West to bridge. In roadside park - Entrance off of US 90 W leads to picnic area/park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Comstock TX 78837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pecos High Bridge (here, next to this marker); Pecos River High Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Pecos River in Literature and Folklore (a few steps from this marker); Near Site, Southern Pacific Ceremony of Silver Spike (approx. 4.6 miles away); Site of Vinegarroon (approx. 4.6 miles away); Railroad Bridges Over the Pecos (approx. 4.6 miles away); Eagle’s Nest (approx. 14 miles away); Robert Thomas Hill (approx. 14 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Comstock.

More about this marker. Marker was in a scenic overlook off US Hwy 90 at Pecos River Canyon. That marker could not be found during a recent visit to the site, and it seems to have been removed or relocated. Text above was retrieved from the Texas Historical Commission's website.

Medal of Honor Fight, 1875 Marker with Pecos River below image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William F Haenn, May 29, 2012

2. Medal of Honor Fight, 1875 Marker with Pecos River below

View is looking downstream towards the mouth of the Pecos where it joins the Rio Grande. The low hills of old Mexico are in the distance. The MOH fight took place beyond the ridge on the left of the photo.

Pompey Factor grave marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 18, 2003

3. Pompey Factor grave marker.

He is buried in Seminole Scout Cemetery, Brackettville TX. His grave GPS coordinates are N29.2732 W100.4425. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: FACTOR, POMPEY • Rank and organization: Private, Indian Scouts • Place and date: At Pecos River, Tex., 25 April 1875 • Date of issue: 28 May 1875 Citation: With 3 other men, he participated in a charge against 25 hostiles while on a scouting patrol.

Issac Payne grave marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 18, 2003

4. Issac Payne grave marker

He is buried in Seminole Scout Cemetery, Brackettville TX. His grave GPS coordinates are N29.2727 W100.4428. His Medal of Honor information and Medal of Honor citation is: PAYNE, ISAAC • Rank and organization: Trumpeter, Indian Scouts • Place and date: At Pecos River, Tex., 25 April 1875 • Date of issue: 28 May 1875 Citation: With 3 other men, he participated in a charge against 25 hostiles while on a scouting patrol.

John Ward grave marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 18, 2003

5. John Ward grave marker

He is buried in Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery, Brackettville TX. His grave GPS coordinates are N29.2724 W100.4425. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: WARD, JOHN • Rank and organization: Sergeant, 24th U.S. Infantry Indian Scouts • Place and date: At Pecos River, Tex., 25 April 1875 • Entered service at. Fort Duncan, Tex. • Date of issue: 28 May 1875 Citation. With 3 other men, he participated in a charge against 25 hostiles while on a scouting patrol.

Lieutenant John L. Bullis image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Old Guardhouse Museum, Fort Clark, Texas, circa 1880

6. Lieutenant John L. Bullis

Sergeant John Ward, Seminole Scout image. Click for full size.

Museum of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, July 1888

7. Sergeant John Ward, Seminole Scout

Trumpeter Isaac Payne, Seminole Scout image. Click for full size.

Museum of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University, July 1888

8. Trumpeter Isaac Payne, Seminole Scout

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,874 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 4, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 5, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.