Near Newcastle in Young County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Tonkawa Scouts, C.S.A.
Photographed By Duane Hall, March 23, 2016
1. Tonkawa Scouts, C.S.A. Marker
By the time of the Civil War, 1861-65, Texans knew the horrors of Indian warfare. Hostile tribes made a business of stealing horses, cattle, women and children. The paths they followed in the “bright Comanche moons” were marked by fires and ruin.
The Tonkawa tribe, by contrast, sought friendship with Texans. They became valued allies in the Civil War, scouting against hostile Indians and watching for signs of Federal invasion. Old Texas Indian fighters, who once had fought Tonkawas along with others, in wartime asked for Tonkawa scouts along the frontier defense line from Red River to the Rio Grande. Commanders valued them so much they fed them at personal expense when necessary, to obtain their help. A few Tonkawa scouts were more useful than two or three companies of regular soldiers. They could stalk enemies better than bloodhounds.
They paid for their Confederate loyalty. On Oct. 25, 1862, near present Anadarko, Okla., hostile Indians attacked the Tonkawa camp, killing 137 men, women, and children out of 300. When later their Chief Castile requested a tribal home in Texas, they were located at Fort Griffin,
this page online
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5507.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1862.
Location. 33° 9.076′ N, 98° 44.501′ W. Marker is near Newcastle, Texas, in Young County. Marker can be reached from Farm to Market Road 61 south of Thompson Road. Marker is located inside Fort Belknap park near the basketball court; the above directions are to the entrance of the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newcastle TX 76372, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Military Road (Fort Belknap - Fort Phantom Hill) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fort Belknap Powder Magazine (about 300 feet away); Fort Belknap Memorial (about 300 feet away); Colonel William C. Young (about 300 feet away); Camp Belknap, C.S.A. (about 400 feet away); Major Robert S. Neighbors (about 400 feet away); Fort Belknap (about 500 feet away); Military Road (Fort Belknap - San Antonio) (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newcastle.
Also see . . . Tonkawa Indians. From
Photographed By Duane Hall, March 23, 2016
2. Tonkawa Scouts, C.S.A. Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, March 23, 2016
3. Tonkawa Scouts, C.S.A. Marker in Fort Belknap Park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 712 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
