Buffalo Soldier Tragedy of 1877

African American troops, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were vital in defending the Texas frontier. On July 26, 1877 Buffalo Soldiers from Co. A of the 10th Cavalry began to pursue a Comanche party. During the pursuit, the Comanches led the troops away from water holes as the expedition traveled through Cochran and other counties. After Several days without water, Capt. Nicholas Nolan led his dehydrated soldiers and remaining animals back to Double Lakes in Lynn County; they arrived on July 30, having gone 86 hours without water. Several soldiers left camp in search of water and four died during the expedition: Pvt. John H. Bonds; Pvt. Isaac Derwin; Pvt. John Isaacs; and Pvt. John T. Gordon. (2008)

Buffalo Soldier Tragedy of 1877 is a historical marker in Morton, Cochran County, dedicated in 2008. It is one of 5 historical markers documented in Cochran County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 7 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.7443, -102.7591 near Morton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Morton Memorial Cemetery (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Morton Memorial Cemetery, Cochran County, and Cochran County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507014745. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.