Jump to content

Battle of Stone Houses: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 33°25′53.94″N 98°27′26.67″W / 33.4316500°N 98.4574083°W / 33.4316500; -98.4574083 (Stone Houses Battlefield)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
changed first line to match article title
Fixing the infobox
 
(38 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
|conflict=The Skirmish of Stone Houses
|conflict=The Skirmish of Stone Houses
|partof=
|partof=
|date=[[November 10]], [[1837]]
|date=November 10, 1837
|place=near present-day [[Windthorst, Texas]]
|place=near present-day [[Windthorst, Texas]]
|coordinates= {{Coord|33|25|53.94|N|98|27|26.67|W|region:US-TX_type:event|display=inline,title|name=Stone Houses Battlefield}}
|result=Kichai victory
|result=Kichai victory
|combatant2=[[Kichai]]
|combatant2=[[Kichai people|Kichai]]
|combatant1=[[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]]
|combatant1=[[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]]
|commander2=unknown
|commander2=Unknown
|commander1=[[A. B. Van Benthusen]]
|commander1=William M. Eastland<br>A. B. Van Benthusen
|strength2=150 to 180
|strength2=150 to 180
|strength1=18
|strength1=18
|casualties2=ranger's estimate: about 50 killed (probably exaggerated)<ref>[http://www.odmp.org/officer/18578-private-lewis-f-scheuster odmp.org]</ref>
|casualties2=2 killed
|casualties1=10 killed}}
|casualties1=10 killed
|map_type = Texas
|map_caption = Location within Texas
|map_label = Stone Houses Battlefield
}}
{{Campaignbox Texas-Indian Wars}}


The '''Battle of Stone Houses''' was a skirmish between [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]] and a band of [[Kichai|Kichai Indians]] which took place on [[November 10]], [[1837]]. The skirmish, which took place ten miles south of what is now [[Windthorst, Texas]], was named for three stone mounds near the battlefield which appeared to the Indians to be small houses.
The '''Battle of Stone Houses''' was a skirmish between [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]] and a band of [[Kichai people|Kichai Indians]] which took place on November 10, 1837. The skirmish, which took place ten miles south of what is now [[Windthorst, Texas]], was named for three stone mounds near the battlefield which appeared to the Indians to be small houses.<ref>Loftin, Jack O.: [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bts03 Battle of Stone Houses] - ''TSHA Handbook of Texas Online''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
A group of Kichai raided [[Fort Smith, Texas|Fort Smith]] on the [[Little River]] sometime early in October of 1837. On the 13th a company of Texas Rangers, led by Captain [[William Eastland]], pursued them up the [[Colorado River]]; however, the Rangers soon lost the trail. Captain Eastland then began quarreling with Lieutenant [[A. B. Van Benthusen]], and as a result the company separated. Van Benthusen took seventeen men north with him, and located the Indians' trail on November 1. They then continued north to the [[Brazos River]].
A group of Kichai raided Fort Smith, Texas on the [[Little River (Texas)|Little River]] sometime early in October 1837.<ref>Minor, David: [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uef16 Fort Smith, Texas] - ''TSHA Handbook of Texas Online''</ref> On October 13, a company of [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]] led by Captain William Eastland pursued them up the [[Colorado River]]; however, the Rangers soon lost the trail.<ref>Cutrer, Thomas W.: [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fea07 William M. Eastland] - ''TSHA Handbook of Texas Online''</ref> Eastland then began quarreling with Lieutenant A. B. Van Benthusen, and as a result the company separated. Van Benthusen took 17 men north with him and located the Indians' trail on November 1. They then continued north to the [[Brazos River]].


On November 3, near what was to become [[Fort Belknap]], the Rangers found a band of [[Cherokee]] and [[Delaware Indians|Delawares]] being led by a Kichai guide, who was immediately killed. The others were spared when they claimed to be friends to all Texans and enemies of the Comanches.
On November 3, near what was to become [[Fort Belknap (Texas)|Fort Belknap]], the Rangers found a band of [[Cherokee]] and [[Lenape|Delawares]] being led by a Kichai guide, who was immediately killed. The others were spared when they claimed to be friends to all Texans and enemies of the [[Comanche]]s.


==Skirmish==
==Skirmish==
On November 10, the Rangers encountered the Kichais, who had stopped fleeing and were primed instead for an attack. It is said that some of the Cherokee and Delawares who were present attempted to mediate peace, but one of the Rangers, Felix McClusky, attacked and killed an Indian. McClusky was immediately reprimanded, and replied that he would kill any Indian for a plug of [[tobacco]]; he then proceeded to show one which he had taken from the dead man. This apparently infuriated the Indians, who attacked.
On November 10, the Rangers encountered the Kichais, who had stopped fleeing and were primed instead for an attack. It is said that some of the Cherokee and Delawares who were present attempted to mediate peace, but one of the Rangers, Felix McClusky, attacked and killed an Indian. McClusky was immediately reprimanded and replied that he would kill any Indian for a plug of [[tobacco]]; he then proceeded to show one which he had taken from the dead man. This infuriated the Indians, who attacked them.


The Rangers abandoned their horses and ran to a shallow [[ravine]], where they sought protection. The Kichais lost their leader in their first attack, but retired to elect a new one and soon took up the battle again. Fighting, often at close quarters, continued for two hours, after which the Kichais decided to set the [[prairie]] on fire and thus smoke out the Rangers. The Rangers charged through the smoke and the Indians, escaping into woods nearby. Four died in battle before the fire; six more were killed while fleeing. The eight that survived arrived at the settlement on the [[Sabine River]] on November 27. Having lost all of their horses and equipment, they had walked the entire way.
The Rangers abandoned their horses and ran to a shallow ravine, where they sought protection. The Kichais lost their leader in their first attack but retired to elect a new one and soon took up the battle again. Close-quarter combat continued for two hours, after which the Kichais decided to set the prairie on fire and thus smoke out the Rangers. The Rangers charged through the smoke and the Indians, escaping into woods nearby. Four died in battle before the fire; six more were killed while fleeing. The eight that survived arrived at the settlement on the [[Sabine River (Texas–Louisiana)|Sabine River]] on November 27. Having lost all of their horses and equipment, they had walked the entire way.


The site of the Skirmish of Stone Houses received a historic marker in 1970.
The site of the Skirmish of Stone Houses received a historic marker in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/map/show_map.aspx?Layer=2&Query=ATLAS_NUM%3D5009005432 |title=The Stone Houses - Marker Number: 5432 |date=1970 |website=Texas Historic Sites Atlas |publisher=Texas Historical Commission}}</ref>


==Reference==
==References==
{{reflist}}
[http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/SS/bts3.html Handbook of Texas entry]


{{Texas History Navbox}}
[[Category:Handbook of Texas citations|Stone Houses, Battle of]][[Category:History of Texas|Stone Houses, Battle of]]

⚫
[[Category:Wars of the indigenous peoples of North America|Stone Houses, Battle of]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stone Houses}}
[[Category:Battles involving the Republic of Texas|Stone Houses]]
[[Category:Texas–Indian Wars]]
⚫
[[Category:Wars involving the Indigenous peoples of North America|Stone Houses, Battle of]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1837]]
[[Category:1837 in the Republic of Texas]]
[[Category:November 1837 events]]

Latest revision as of 19:47, 7 December 2024

The Skirmish of Stone Houses
DateNovember 10, 1837
Location
near present-day Windthorst, Texas
33°25′53.94″N 98°27′26.67″W / 33.4316500°N 98.4574083°W / 33.4316500; -98.4574083 (Stone Houses Battlefield)
Result Kichai victory
Belligerents
Texas Rangers Kichai
Commanders and leaders
William M. Eastland
A. B. Van Benthusen		 Unknown
Strength
18 150 to 180
Casualties and losses
10 killed ranger's estimate: about 50 killed (probably exaggerated)[1]
Stone Houses Battlefield is located in Texas
Stone Houses Battlefield
Stone Houses Battlefield
class=notpageimage|
Location within Texas

The Battle of Stone Houses was a skirmish between Texas Rangers and a band of Kichai Indians which took place on November 10, 1837. The skirmish, which took place ten miles south of what is now Windthorst, Texas, was named for three stone mounds near the battlefield which appeared to the Indians to be small houses.[2]

Background

[edit]

A group of Kichai raided Fort Smith, Texas on the Little River sometime early in October 1837.[3] On October 13, a company of Texas Rangers led by Captain William Eastland pursued them up the Colorado River; however, the Rangers soon lost the trail.[4] Eastland then began quarreling with Lieutenant A. B. Van Benthusen, and as a result the company separated. Van Benthusen took 17 men north with him and located the Indians' trail on November 1. They then continued north to the Brazos River.

On November 3, near what was to become Fort Belknap, the Rangers found a band of Cherokee and Delawares being led by a Kichai guide, who was immediately killed. The others were spared when they claimed to be friends to all Texans and enemies of the Comanches.

Skirmish

[edit]

On November 10, the Rangers encountered the Kichais, who had stopped fleeing and were primed instead for an attack. It is said that some of the Cherokee and Delawares who were present attempted to mediate peace, but one of the Rangers, Felix McClusky, attacked and killed an Indian. McClusky was immediately reprimanded and replied that he would kill any Indian for a plug of tobacco; he then proceeded to show one which he had taken from the dead man. This infuriated the Indians, who attacked them.

The Rangers abandoned their horses and ran to a shallow ravine, where they sought protection. The Kichais lost their leader in their first attack but retired to elect a new one and soon took up the battle again. Close-quarter combat continued for two hours, after which the Kichais decided to set the prairie on fire and thus smoke out the Rangers. The Rangers charged through the smoke and the Indians, escaping into woods nearby. Four died in battle before the fire; six more were killed while fleeing. The eight that survived arrived at the settlement on the Sabine River on November 27. Having lost all of their horses and equipment, they had walked the entire way.

The site of the Skirmish of Stone Houses received a historic marker in 1970.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ odmp.org
  2. ^ Loftin, Jack O.: Battle of Stone Houses - TSHA Handbook of Texas Online
  3. ^ Minor, David: Fort Smith, Texas - TSHA Handbook of Texas Online
  4. ^ Cutrer, Thomas W.: William M. Eastland - TSHA Handbook of Texas Online
  5. ^ "The Stone Houses - Marker Number: 5432". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Texas Historical Commission. 1970.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Stone_Houses&oldid=1261747887"