Historical Marker
Near Site of Indian Battle
Historical marker location:
CR 351, S of Merkel, Merkel, Texas
( From Merkel, take FM 126 south 14.4 miles to CR 350 and follow south about 21.4 miles then take CR 351 south .9 mile.)
Marker installed: 1968
On February 15, 1870, Corporal Hilliard Morrow and five men of Company E, 24th U.S. Infantry, set out from Fort Griffin to relieve guards at Mountain Pass mail station near here. Soon after arriving, however, they were besieged by a raiding party of 75 Comanches. Although outnumbered by more than ten to one, the courageous group repelled the attack. The Indians, however, drove off five mules and one horse belonging to the El Paso and San Antonio Mail Company, which ran a branch line to the station. Three of the Indians were killed, but the soldiers suffered no losses. (1968).