Historical marker commemorates 1839 Battle of the Neches in Van Zandt County

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - More than 200 years after fighting between Native Americans and settlers ended in East Texas, a historical marker stands near the site of the Battle of the Neches.

In 1836, General Sam Houston negotiated a treaty with the Cherokees in Texas allowing possession of the lands they occupied in East Texas. Three years later, the Cherokee Indians were told to leave Texas within 10 days.

Eight hundred Indians fought 500 Republic of Texas troops in the Battle of the Neches in 1839. They were led by Chief Bowles, who carried a sword given to him by General Sam Houston.

The tribes were defeated and Chief Bowles was killed at the Battle of the Neches in what is now Van Zandt County. When the tribes were defeated, they scattered, ending the fighting in the eastern part of Texas.

The Texas Historical Commission dedicated a historical marker for the chief in 2001. The battlefield is now owned by the American Indian Cultural Society.

The historic marker is located near Edom on County Road 4293 and Jett Lane in Van Zandt County.