Battle Of Neches Ceremony Honors American Indians

REDLAND—On July 16, 1839, 800 American Indian men, women and children were killed during a battle with Texas Soldiers sent by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar. That battle took place in Redland, just east of Van Zandt County.

Each year a ceremony is held at the site to honor those brave American Indians and this year’s ceremony was held this past Saturday, July 12.

Danny Hair from the American Indian Cultural Society, Inc. helped organize the ceremony Saturday to honor the dead and teach the living.

Every year since 1992 he has come to the battle ground where his way of life, the Cherokee, and American Indian way of life came under attack. That is why he and others from the American Indian Cultural Society, Inc. keep the ceremonial tradition alive.

Tribes attacked on that day in 1839 included Texas Cherokee and 12 other associated Indian tribal bands. The Indians were under the leadership of Chief John ‘Duwa’li’ Bowles, Chief Big Mush and six other tribal chiefs.

Each year the ceremony draws more than 100 people to the site and organizers said that it is their duty and honor to keep the ceremonial tradition.

"We are here today. They were here five generations ago and thinking about us. We have to look forward five generations to think about them," said Hair.