Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp

At or near this spot, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, with two companies of United States 4th Cavalry, was overtaken on Dec. 4, 1874, by a snowstorm. Forced to spend the night here without wood or water, or grass for the horses, troops called this the most miserable night of their duty in the Southwest. Several horses froze to death. MacKenzie was hunting here for straggling Indians, during last weeks of 1874 campaign to confine tribes to reservations. On Dec. 5 his troops reached Tahoka Lake, where they found shelter under a cliff. (1967)

Site of Mackenzie Cavalry Camp is a historical marker in Wilson, Lynn County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 8 historical markers documented in Lynn County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 12 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.3211, -101.7298 near Wilson. The nearest cataloged historic site is Spanish Explorers' Route (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Wilson Mercantile Company, Green Memorial Park Cemetery, and Tahoka.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5305004827. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.