BATTLE OF THE NECHES MEMORIAL

At a time when many people in U.S. society thought Native Americans were savages, General Sam Houston lived with the Cherokee Indians twice in his lifetime; once as a runaway teen and secondly as a resigned and tired politician and Governor of the state of Tennessee. That kindred spirit connection and empathy led to Houston becoming a strong advocate for Native Americans and their rights in the early half of the 1800’s. A preserved document in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s collection from 1829 formally certified Houston as a citizen into the Cherokee Nation at that time with all rights and privileges.

Chief Bowles, the Ugu’ or principal chief of the Cherokees in Texas, was born in North Carolina around 1756. Between 1810 and 1819, Chief Bowles and his people immigrated, traveled across the Southern United States until they settled across the Red River into Spanish Texas just north of Nacogdoches. In Texas, Chief Bowles became the primary “civil” chief or “peace chief” of a council that united several Cherokee villages and 12 Other American Indian tribes that had immigrated with him, or that were already settled within the boundaries of Tejas’. In 1822, Bowles began negotiations with the Mexican government for a land grant or land title for the Cherokees in East Texas. He cooperated with the Mexican government in putting down the Fredonian Rebellion, but still did not receive a land grant. In 1833 he made another attempt to secure from the Mexican government land on the Angelina, Neches, and Trinity rivers, but negotiations were interrupted by political unrest in Texas. Finally, in 1836 Chief Bowles and Sam Houston negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the tribe possession of lands occupied in East Texas. However, after the Texas Revolution against Generalissimo Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna; the senate of the Republic of Texas invalidated and refused to validate the treaty between Bowles and Houston.

Afterwards, Sam Houston became President of the Texas Republic and maintained peaceful relations with Bowles and the Cherokees in Texas, and the other 12 allied Tribes. In 1838 a political movement of former Mexican officials known as ‘the Cordova Rebellion’ was instigated in and around Nacogdoches. In May of 1839 a Mexican agent was killed near the Red River, and a diary, other papers were found which indicated that Mexico was working to incite the Cherokees to rebel against Texas in exchange for recognition of Tribal Lands. Despite the discovery of the documents intended for Chief Bowles – President Houston believed his brother and friend Chief Bowles denials and refused to order the Cherokee arrested. In his several letters of reassurance to the Bowl during the unrest. Sam Houston again stated his intent to give titles to their promised lands.

As well – in October of 1838 a tragic incident occurred near present -day Cherokee County, when the Texas settler Killough family were attacked and killed by unknown assailants. The 18 deaths of the stated ‘Killough Massacre’ were conveniently blamed on Chief Bowles and the Cherokees in Texas, and the newly elected Republic of Texas President in 1839, – Mirabeau B. Lamar ordered Chief Bowles and his people to leave Texas, with political letters and ultimatums issued to the Chief. Unwilling to leave, Chief Bowles mobilized the warriors of all 13 allied tribes, to resist expulsion, protect their families, and to fight against the Republic of Texas forces. 

During the months of June and July, President Lamar sent the Texas army forces to hunt down, and pursue Chief Bowles and all of his American Indian allies, warriors for defeat. On July 16, 1839, in present-day Van Zandt, County – Chief Bowles was killed in the Battle of the Neches, blatantly and dishonorably by Captain James Smith, who commanded the 2nd Battalion of Thomas J. Rusk’s regiments at the Battle of the Neches. Ironically; Smith and Rusk’s names were perpetuated by future counties and towns, buildings named after them in East Texas.

The Texas Legislature created The Commission of Control for Texas Centennial Celebrations in 1935, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Texas’ independence from Mexico the following year. The state placed about 1100 exposition buildings, memorial museums, statues, and gray and pink granite markers and monuments around Texas. The Texas Historical Commission was created in 1953 and given authority over the 1936 markers. There are a variety of 1936 Centennial Markers throughout the state of Texas.

‘Centennial Memorial Marker – Chief Bowles’ – Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 11383.) Marker is near Ben Wheeler and Edom, Texas in Van Zandt County. The marker is located in a clearing off Jett Lane. It is not accessible by car. To get to the marker’s location, exit State Highway 64 north on County Road 4923. Follow signs about 2.5 miles to marker.

“American Indian Cultural Society is honored to have assumed the personal responsibility of preserving and maintaining this sacred land since 1998. In doing so, it has been our intention since day one to preserve the land as a memorial and sanctuary for ALL who wish to honor and respect the ancient culture, traditions, and customs of all Native American people. We strive to be a supporter of our community. This includes supporting other Native American endeavors, elders, the sick, and the youth (past, present, future.) We believe in cultural preservation. Through toy drives, back-to-school drives, and participation in community functions, we hope to provide a lasting impact on our Native people. In 2018, we have pledged our support to local organizations. Specifically, to lend our voices, time, and resources to further our Native people at powwows, spiritually community, and outreach programs. Your voice matters, too! Please join us on our mission to not only preserve our Annual Battle of the Neches memorial grounds, but to also support our Native brothers and sisters as we feel the only way to make an impact is to get involved.”

 ‘MISSION STATEMENT:
To carry our traditions honorably, while educating and supporting our Native American communities.’

aics1839.com

For More information Contact: Eagle Douglas I, Chairman, AICS

ndn1839@gmail.com  (214) 914-1516

mail correspondence:
PO Box 1884, Desoto, TX 75123

Land Address: 2986 V.Z. 4923 Ben Wheeler, TX 75754

*You may send donations to the above address.

Donations are used to pay for the LAND and its upkeep.

We also need people for committee positions and volunteers to help with fund raisers, garage sales, bake sales, and more.

*American Indian Cultural Society has sole ownership and upkeeps the 68 acre 2nd day Battle of the Neches site since 1998.

Colonn’eh ~ Raven; Cherokee Citizen & Son,
General, Representative, & President of Texas, Governor & Senator of Tennessee & Texas’

General Sam Houston, while President of the Republic, did all in his power to allay the growing excitement and preserve peace. Having spent his early boyhood in the mountains of Tennessee, in close proximity to the Cherokees, and, previous to his coming to Texas, having lived among them for four years, he was familiar with their character and customs, and in addition to this, being very popular with this tribe, he necessarily exercised great influence over them. This being generally known, caused many to suspect that General Houston had delayed in taking any decisive steps against the Cherokees because he was more favorably inclined to them than to his own people. “Indeed,” says an old Texas, “so strongly was this opinion entertained at the time by many of the Texans, that nothing but General Houston’s great personal popularity could have sustained him in the almost neutral position he occupied in regard to the troubles then existing between his quondam friends, the Cherokees, and their white neighbors.” However this may be, it is evident that he naturally felt kindly towards them, and was anxious to preserve peace between them and the Texans. Moreover, Houston was aware that it frequently happened that lawless whites upon the border, in some instances, were to blame for the outrages committed by the Indians in a spirit of retaliation, 

Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Anilasdala’
Texas Cherokee Tribe
to AICS – American Indian Cultural Society

Osiyo – Greeting Chairman Eagle Douglas.

The Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe and its Citizens would like to reach out to the American Indian Cultural Society in concerns to the Battle of the Neches Chief Bowles Memorial site.

On Thursday October 19, 2023 during our Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Annual Culture Camp and Gathering, approximately 30 tribal citizens caravanned to the Memorial site to connect with the land and pay our respects to the sacred ground and our ancestors who fought and died here. We smudged and offered prayers and tobacco and had a water blessing before encouraging individuals to walk around and get a feel for our shared history here. Many of us are direct descendants or blood relatives of Chief Bowles and other tribal folks who perished here at the hands of the Republic of Texas forces.

It is our great hope to volunteer and partner with AICS on fundraising as well as work on upkeep and improvements on the land for future generations to honor and enjoy this sacred place. Many of us had deep spiritual experiences here and the voice was clear that it is our duty to help protect and care for this land.

We are also interested in helping host the Battle of the Neches Memorial Ceremony that is historically held in July at the Memorial site.

The Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe honors your mission statement:
“To carry our traditions honorably, while educating and supporting our Native American Communities.”

We hope that you will accept our volunteerism and our help as “Keepers of the Land”.
Unlelanvhi Udadolisdi! – Creators Blessings!

Ugu Principal Chief – William P. Hoff
Tribal Traditional Adawehi
Chairman Treaty Committee
AniAwi – Deer Clan Member

Co-Chair Treaty Committee – John Garcia
Southern Towns District Chief
AniTsisiqua – Bird Clan Representative & Member