Near Brownfield in Terry County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Route of Nolan Expedition

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014

1. Route of Nolan Expedition Marker

Inscription. Army and civilian effort in 1877 to halt raiding of Chief “Old Black Horse's” Comanches.

In group were 60 Negro troops of Co. A, 10th U.S. Cavalry, and 22 buffalo hunters known as “The Forlorn Hope”. Troops departed Fort Concho in early July, led by Capt. Nicholas Nolan.

Eluded by Indians and finding water holes dry, on July 27 men were thirst-crazed. By drinking horse blood and urine, soldiers lived 86 parched hours; finally reached old supply base. Hunters left group; found water alone.

All but 4 soldiers survived this heroic test of endurance.

Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4370.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Events • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 33° 17.77′ N, 102° 13.556′ W. Marker is near Brownfield, Texas, in Terry County. It is at the intersection of Lubbock Road (U.S. 62/82) and Farm to Market Road 260, on the right when traveling south on Lubbock Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownfield TX 79316, 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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brooks Blacksmith Shop (approx. 3 miles away); Meadow Depot

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(approx. 3.1 miles away); An Early Native American Resident (approx. 3.1 miles away); Meadow United Methodist Church (approx. 3.2 miles away); Meadow Cemetery (approx. 4 miles away); The Oak Grove (approx. 7½ miles away); Site of Joe T. and Laura Hamilton Home (approx. 7½ miles away); A Learning Journey (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownfield.

Also see . . . Buffalo Soldier Tragedy of 1877. Wikipedia (Submitted on May 14, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. "The Staked Plains Horror"

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014

2. Route of Nolan Expedition Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 15, 2025

3. Route of Nolan Expedition Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,156 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.