Battle of the Neches
(Site 15 miles Southeast)
Main engagement of Cherokee War; fought July 15 and 16, 1839, between 800 Indians (including Delawares and Shawnees) and 500 troops of the Republic of Texas.
An extraordinary fact is that David G. Burnet, vice president of the Republic; Albert Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War; and two other high officials took active parts in the fighting.
When killed, Chief Bowles, the aged Cherokee leader, carried a sword given him by Gen. Sam Houston. After the defeat of the tribes, they scattered, thus virtually ending Indian troubles in the settled eastern part of Texas.