In 1820, Duwali, Chief Bowles, led a group of Cherokee to settle in Texas. The Cherokee were welcomed by the Spanish and later the Mexican governments. During the Texas revolution in 1836, the Cherokee forged an alliance with Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, and were granted land reserves in East Texas by Treaty.
However, Houston’s successor, Mirabeau B. Lamar, wanted all Indians removed from Texas, by force if necessary. The Cherokee refused to leave and banded together with other Indian tribes to fight for their right to remain on their land.
This stone marks the location of the Battle of Neches (1839) in which hundreds of Texas troops attacked a Delaware village which housed Indians from many tribes (including the Cherokee). Over 100 Indians were killed, among them Duwali, and the village was burned.
Duwali (Chief Bowles) Monument Travel Details
This site is not visible from the road (CR 4923). From the parking area, follow the path to the monument, approximately a 1/4 mile walk. Please note: the location is secluded and not handicap accessible.
Directions: The Duwali Monument is northwest of Tyler, Texas. From Tyler, take TX 64 west 12 miles to Redland. Turn right onto CR 4923. Follow this road for 2.3 miles and turn right into the Duwali Monument site. For specific directions, click the “Directions” link in the location bubble of the map above and enter your starting location on the left.
GPS & Map: 32.38271586480991,-95.50406455993652
