Submitted by: RJOA Public Relations:
Elaine Collings, ehcollings@gmail.com
Photos & Article by: Evelyn Miller
During a recent Cowboy Gathering at Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos River north of Bakersfield in west Texas, KEN MILLER and EVELYN MILLER participated in chuck wagon cooking, watched gunfight re-enactments and Native American dancing along with historical presentations and adventure trails. They also made lots of new friends. A truly unexpected find was a CSA Monument erected by The Sons of Confederate Veterans West Texas Bridge. The encryption reads:
ERECTED IN HONOR OF FOUR UNKNOWN
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS ASSIGNED TO
THE 2ND REGIMENT TEXAS MOUNTED
RIFLES FROM FORT STOCKTON 1861 – 62
HERE THEY CROSSED THE RIVER TO
THEIR HEAVENLY HOME AND ACROSS
THIS RIVER LIES THEIR EARTHLY REMAINS
BROUGHT BACK INTO THE LIGHT
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH THEY ARE
CROWNED WITH IMMORTAL GLORY
The Texas State Historical Commission has also placed a marker near the same area which references “CSA”- Confederate States of America, and that enscryption reads:
One of the most important sites in the old west. Named for skulls pointing toward crossing. Only ford for many miles where animals could enter, drink and leave Pecos River safely. Elsewhere deep banks would trap them. The ford was mapped 1849 by Capt. R. B. Marcy, head of army escort for parties on way to California gold rush. Used in 1850’s by frontier fighters and Scout Henry Skillman, contractor for first mail route from San Antonio to El Paso. As change station, echoed with brass bugle call of Butterfield Coach carrying mail from St. Louis to San Francisco, in first stage service to span continent, 1858-1861.
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, used by wagons hauling highly valuable salt scooped from bed of nearby Juan Cordona Lake, to meet Texas scarcities. Also scene of spying and counter spying of Federal and Confederates watching Overland Trail. Federals, operating out of El Paso, feared invasion by way of Horsehead. Confederates several times threw back armies that sought to enter the state in order to deploy along the old Overland Trail and conquer north and west Texas.
Later this became important crossing for cattle on Goodnight-Loving trail, mapped in 1866.
Even more exciting was EVELYN PARKER MILLER’S conversation with several of the Comanche Dancers. For as long as EVELYN can remember, her parternal grandfather told them that they were related to Comanche War Chief, Quannah Parker. In EVELYN’S limited genelogical research, she has not been able to prove it, even though Quannah and her grandfather look very similar. To EVELYN’S surprise, two of the men had heard of Floyd Parker. They’re not sure if it was her grandfather or Great-Great Grandfather. Looks like “MRS. EVELYN” and “MR. KEN” have a trip to Lawton, OK in their near future.
More adventures to come.
Submitted by: Evelyn Parker Miller, UDC Rebel Joan of Arc #2721, UDC TX DIV District III Treasurer, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, New Kentucky & Ezekiel Cullen, Order of the Confederate Rose