Lockhart in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Battle of Plum Creek
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 13, 2004
1. Battle of Plum Creek Marker
The harsh anti-Indian policies of President Mirabeau B. Lamar and Mexican efforts to weaken the Republic of Texas stirred Indian hostilities. Hatred increased after the Council House Fight in San Antonio, March 19, 1840, where 12 Comanche chiefs were killed.
After regrouping and making plans for revenge, 600 Comanches and Kiowas, including women and children, moved across central Texas in early August. They raided Victoria and Linnville (120 mi. SE), a prosperous seaport. About 200 Texans met at Good's Crossing on Plum Creek under Major-General Felix Huston (1800-1857) to stop the Indians. Adorned with their plunder from Linnville, the war party stretched for miles across the prairie.
The Battle of Plum Creek, August 12, 1840, began on Comanche Flats (5.5 mi. SE) and proceeded to Kelley springs (2.5 mi. SW), with skirmishes as far as present San Marcos and Kyle. Mathew Caldwell (1798-1842), for whom Caldwell County was named, was injured in the Council House fight but took part in this battle. Volunteers under Edward Burleson (1793-1851) included 13 Tonkawa Indians, marked as Texan allies by white armbands. Texan casualties were light while the Indians lost over 80 chiefs and warriors. This battle ended the Comanche penetration of settled portions of Texas.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Notable Events • Notable Places • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1893.
Location. 29° 52.901′ N, 97° 40.159′ W. Marker is in Lockhart, Texas, in Caldwell County. Marker is on Route 183, on the right when traveling north. Near intersection of US 183 and SH 142 in Lions Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockhart TX 78644, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Andrew Lee Brock (a few steps from this marker); Caldwell County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Eugene Clark Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. D. Port Smythe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Caldwell County (approx. ¼ mile away); Caldwell County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Caldwell County Confederate Soldiers Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Lockhart (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockhart.
Also see . . . Battle of Plum Creek. (Submitted on July 5, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 11, 2022
2. The view of the Battle of Plum Creek Marker in the Lion’s Park
Photographed By Richard Denney
3. The approximate area of Comanche Flats where the battle began, about 5.5 mi. SE of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 9,781 times since then and 337 times this year. Last updated on April 1, 2013, by Frank Borkes of Lockhart, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on April 12, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
