Battle of Stone Houses, Texas
The Battle of Stone Houses, Texas, a relatively obscure but significant engagement in the history of Texas-Indian conflicts, unfolded in the autumn of 1837. This clash, born from the escalating tensions between Texas Rangers and various Native American tribes, particularly the Kichai, serves as a stark reminder of the violent struggles that shaped the early Texan frontier. The events surrounding the Battle of Stone Houses, Texas, reveal a tale of pursuit, desperation, and fierce combat in the heart of Texas.
In mid-October of 1837, a company of Texas Rangers found themselves on the trail of a Kichai raiding party. The Kichai, a Caddoan-speaking tribe, were known for their mobility and occasional incursions into Texan settlements, seeking resources and asserting their presence in the face of encroaching settlers. The Rangers, tasked with protecting these settlements and maintaining order, relentlessly pursued the Kichai band up the course of the Colorado River, their horses eating up the miles of the Texas landscape.
The pursuit was arduous and demanding, stretching the Rangers’ endurance to its limits. Recognizing the need for a more focused approach, Lieutenant A. B. Van Benthusen made a critical decision. He separated from the main Ranger company, taking with him a contingent of just 17 men. Their new objective was to intercept the Kichai near the Brazos River, a strategic waterway that offered both potential routes for the Kichai and opportunities for the Rangers to cut them off.
On November 10th, 1837, Van Benthusen and his small company finally encountered the Kichai. However, the situation they faced was far from what they might have anticipated. The Kichai, numbering significantly more than the Rangers – estimated to be over 150 warriors – had ceased their flight. Emboldened and ready to defend their territory, they took the offensive, confronting the Rangers with a display of force that underscored the severity of the impending battle.
The Rangers, heavily outnumbered, quickly sought cover in a shallow ravine. This natural depression in the landscape offered a degree of protection, shielding them from the initial onslaught of the Kichai warriors. The ensuing battle was a chaotic and brutal affair, lasting for two intense hours. The Rangers, armed with rifles and pistols, fought desperately to hold their ground, while the Kichai, employing a variety of weapons including bows and arrows, spears, and possibly some firearms acquired through trade, pressed their attack with unrelenting ferocity. The confined space of the ravine forced the combatants into close quarters, where the fighting devolved into a desperate struggle for survival, a whirlwind of gunfire, war cries, and hand-to-hand combat.
The initial Kichai assault was marked by tragedy for the tribe. Their leader, a respected and experienced warrior, fell in the first wave of the attack, his loss dealing a blow to their morale. However, the Kichai were not deterred. They temporarily withdrew from the immediate battle to elect a new leader, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to the fight. This pause in the fighting, however brief, allowed both sides a moment to regroup and steel themselves for the renewed conflict.
With a new leader chosen, the Kichai resumed their attack with renewed vigor. Recognizing the limitations of a direct assault on the entrenched Rangers, they employed a devastating tactic: they set fire to the prairie grass surrounding the ravine. The dry vegetation, tinder-dry after a long Texas summer, ignited quickly, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air. The smoke, carried by the wind, engulfed the ravine, choking the Rangers and obscuring their vision. The fire not only created a physical hazard but also served as a psychological weapon, disorienting and demoralizing the already beleaguered Rangers.
Faced with the suffocating smoke and the encroaching flames, the Rangers realized they had no choice but to break out of the ravine. They charged through the smoke-filled air, hoping to reach the relative safety of the nearby woods. The chaotic charge was a desperate gamble, and it came at a heavy price. Four Rangers had already perished before the fire, succumbing to wounds sustained in the initial fighting. As the remaining Rangers fled through the smoke and flames, six more were killed, cut down by the pursuing Kichai warriors.
Only eight Rangers managed to escape the inferno and reach the relative sanctuary of the woods. However, their ordeal was far from over. They had lost their horses and equipment in the battle, leaving them stranded and vulnerable in hostile territory. Without food, water, or the means to defend themselves effectively, they faced a long and perilous journey back to civilization.
For seventeen long days, the eight survivors struggled through the Texas wilderness, battling hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. They navigated through unfamiliar terrain, constantly wary of encountering hostile Indians or dangerous wildlife. Finally, on November 27th, they stumbled upon a settlement on the Sabine River, their bodies battered and their spirits shaken. The survivors brought with them a grim account of the battle, painting a picture of courage, desperation, and devastating loss.
The battle site became known as "Stoned Houses," a name derived from three peculiar stone mounds that resembled the dwellings of the Native Americans. These mounds, whether natural formations or man-made structures, served as a distinctive landmark, marking the location of the bloody encounter. The Battle of Stone Houses, Texas site is located approximately ten miles south of the present-day town of Windthorst, Texas, a small community that serves as a reminder of the area’s rich and turbulent history.
Today, the Battle of Stone Houses, Texas is commemorated with a historical marker, a simple but significant tribute to the men who fought and died there. The marker stands as a silent witness to the events of November 1837, reminding visitors of the sacrifices made during the early days of Texas statehood. While the Battle of Stone Houses, Texas may not be as widely known as other Texas battles, it remains an important part of the state’s history, a testament to the complex and often violent relationship between Texas settlers and Native American tribes. The Battle of Stone Houses, Texas serves as a reminder of the challenges and hardships faced by those who forged a new life on the Texas frontier.