Cherokee War and the Battle of the Neches, Texas
The year 1839 marked a period of intense upheaval and conflict in Northeast Texas, fueled by escalating tensions between the burgeoning population of white settlers and several Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee, Kickapoo, and Shawnee. These tribes, having established settlements and cultivated the land, believed they possessed legitimate rights to the territory, claims that traced back to agreements with both Spanish and Mexican authorities. The promise of formalized land titles, offered by Sam Houston in 1836 on behalf of the provisional government of the nascent Texas Republic, initially offered a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution. However, the subsequent rejection of this treaty by the Texas Senate in 1837 ignited a powder keg of resentment and distrust, setting the stage for the tragic events that would unfold.
The roots of the conflict were complex, intertwined with competing claims of sovereignty, broken promises, and the relentless westward expansion of the United States. The Native American tribes had long inhabited the lands of East Texas, establishing communities, cultivating crops, and developing intricate social and political structures. They viewed themselves as the rightful custodians of the land, a perspective reinforced by previous agreements with governing powers. The arrival of white settlers, driven by the allure of fertile land and economic opportunity, challenged this established order, creating friction and competition for resources.
Sam Houston, a figure of considerable influence in early Texas history, recognized the importance of maintaining peaceful relations with the Native American tribes. He understood that conflict would not only destabilize the fledgling republic but also inflict unnecessary suffering on all involved. His treaty of 1836, though reducing the Cherokee landholdings, was intended to provide the tribes with a secure and permanent homeland, a foundation for peaceful coexistence. The Texas Senate’s rejection of this treaty, despite Houston’s impassioned pleas, demonstrated a shift in policy, prioritizing the interests of white settlers over the rights and well-being of the Native American population. This decision proved to be a pivotal turning point, shattering the fragile peace and paving the way for the Cherokee War and the Battle of the Neches, Texas.
The political climate further deteriorated as the Mexican government, unwilling to relinquish its claims to Texas, actively sought to undermine the republic’s authority. In the wake of the treaty’s rejection, several Cherokee chiefs, including the respected Big Mush and the influential Chief Bowl, found themselves increasingly disillusioned with the promises of the Texas government. Faced with the prospect of displacement and dispossession, they reluctantly explored alliances with the Mexicans, viewing them as potential allies in their struggle to protect their ancestral lands. This decision, while understandable in the context of the circumstances, further inflamed tensions and provided Houston’s successor, President Mirabeau B. Lamar, with a pretext for ordering the Cherokee to leave Texas altogether. Lamar’s administration adopted a more aggressive stance toward the Native American population, advocating for their removal from Texas and the opening of their lands to white settlement. The Cherokee War and the Battle of the Neches, Texas was about to begin.
The Cherokee, unwilling to abandon their homes and way of life, refused to comply with Lamar’s expulsion order. This act of defiance ultimately led to the tragic Battle of the Neches on July 15 and 16, 1839, a pivotal event in the history of Texas and a devastating blow to the Cherokee people.
In July of 1839, a force of approximately 500 Texas troops, under the command of Kelsey H. Douglass, was dispatched to forcibly remove the Cherokee and their allies from their settlements. The Texas Army established a camp at Council Creek, located roughly six miles south of Chief Bowl’s principal village. On July 12, a commission was sent to negotiate with the Indians, seeking to persuade them to leave Texas peacefully. The proposed agreement stipulated that the Indians would be allowed to harvest their crops and receive compensation for their removal expenses.
However, negotiations quickly reached an impasse. For two days, the Cherokee representatives maintained that they were willing to leave Texas, but they steadfastly refused to sign the treaty due to a contentious clause that would have subjected them to an armed escort during their departure. This clause raised concerns about their safety and autonomy, leading them to suspect that the Texas government did not have their best interests at heart.
On July 15, the Texans, growing impatient and suspicious, issued an ultimatum, threatening to launch an immediate attack on the Cherokee village if the treaty was not accepted. To signal their willingness to negotiate, the Cherokee raised a white flag over their camp. However, the Texans, unconvinced of their sincerity, launched an attack, resulting in the deaths of approximately 18 Indians and three Texans. This initial engagement marked the beginning of the Battle of the Neches, Texas.
The Cherokee, caught off guard and overwhelmed by the Texas forces, began to retreat. The following morning, the troops engaged them once again near the headwaters of the Neches River. The fighting was fierce and unrelenting, with the Cherokee warriors bravely defending their families and their way of life. However, they were ultimately outmatched by the superior firepower and numbers of the Texas Army.
The Cherokee were driven towards the Neches bottom, a densely forested area that offered some cover and concealment. In this desperate struggle, Chief Bowl, Big Mush, and numerous other warriors were killed, marking a devastating loss for the Cherokee people.
The fighting continued near Grand Saline, where the remaining Cherokee forces made a final stand. By the end of the engagements, it was estimated that more than 100 Indians had been killed or wounded. The Battle of the Neches, Texas, effectively ended the Indian troubles in East Texas.
Following the Battle of the Neches, the majority of the Cherokee tribe migrated into Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma, seeking refuge and a new beginning. A small number of renegades remained in Texas, living a fugitive existence and occasionally engaging in skirmishes with the Texans, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. Others sought permanent residence in Mexico, hoping to escape the reach of the Texas government and preserve their cultural identity.
Today, a historical marker stands at a roadside park on Highway 20, five miles east of Colfax, Texas, commemorating the site of the Battle of the Neches. It serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that unfolded there and the devastating impact of the conflict on the Cherokee people. The Cherokee War and the Battle of the Neches, Texas, remains a significant and somber chapter in Texas history.