A significant victory for historical preservation has been achieved with the relocation and restoration of the Texas Historical Marker that honors the Battle of Adams Hill. This long-awaited development brings closure to concerns raised by historical enthusiasts, including Alamo City Guards Camp #1325 member Martin Callahan, who initially reported its disappearance.
Tracking Down the Missing Marker
Originally installed in 1965 on W.T. Montgomery Road near U.S. Highway 90, the marker was declared missing in April 2018. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) marked it as “missing” in its online Texas Historic Sites Atlas, prompting historians and preservationists to investigate. Upon discovering its absence, Callahan took action by alerting the media and local authorities, setting the search in motion.
The marker was originally placed near the Blue Skies of Texas retirement community (formerly Air Force Village II). It was not unlawfully removed but rather relocated as part of a land sale process. The property owner, Blue Skies, requested the move because the acreage containing the marker was to be sold. This request was approved through the proper historical channels, including the Bexar County Historical Commission and the Texas Historical Commission’s marker committee, which oversaw the marker’s safe removal and storage until a suitable new location could be determined.
A New Home for a Historic Landmark
The Adams Hill historical marker has found a new and more prominent setting after years of uncertainty about its location. Originally placed near Montgomery Road and Highway 90, this marker recounts an event from May 1861, when Union and Confederate forces faced off in what became a significant moment in Bexar County’s Civil War history. While no shots were exchanged, the encounter played an essential role in the broader context of the war.
The marker now stands at Adams Hill Park, located at 2003 Hunt Lane. This relocation not only ensures its preservation but also makes it more accessible for those interested in learning about the region’s past. With a setting that welcomes visitors, this historical piece can now be better appreciated as part of Texas’ rich heritage. Thanks to the efforts of Blue Skies of Texas, which carefully protected the marker, its legacy remains intact and ready to educate future generations.
Alamo City Guards Acknowledge the Site
With the marker securely reinstalled, Alamo City Guards Camp #1325 Commander Christian Lee, 1st Lt. Cody Crislip, and Matteo Rodriguez, a friend of Camp #1325, recently visited the site to celebrate its relocation and pay tribute. Their presence emphasized the camp’s dedication to preserving the legacy of Texas and Confederate history, ensuring the significance of Adams Hill remains recognized.
The Battle of Adams Hill: A Strategic Confrontation
The so-called “Battle” of Adams Hill took place on May 9, 1861, marking a key moment in the early stages of the Civil War in Texas. The confrontation was between Union troops retreating from Fort Bliss and a rapidly mobilized Confederate force determined to assert control over the region.
Lt. Col. Isaac Reeve led a detachment of approximately 320 federal troops from the Eighth United States Infantry, including companies B, E, F, H, I, and K, as well as a detachment from Company G. Their march had been long and arduous, plagued by illness, desertion, and difficult terrain. By the time they reached San Lucas Springs, their numbers were diminished, and their morale was strained.
The Confederate response was swift and overwhelming. Col. Earl Van Dorn, commanding Texas Confederate forces, assembled an imposing force to confront Reeve. His forces included six companies of Col. Henry E. McCulloch’s cavalry regiment, a battalion of infantry under Lt. Col. James Duff, and a squadron of Col. John S. Ford’s State Troops under Lt. Col. John Robert Baylor. Significantly, Van Dorn’s force also included Capt. William Edgar’s Battery of Light Artillery, better known as the Alamo City Guards, whose name continues to be honored by Camp #1325 today.
As Van Dorn’s force of nearly 1,370 men, supported by six artillery pieces, surrounded Reeve’s position, Confederate officers approached the Union commander under a flag of truce. They demanded the immediate surrender of his force. Initially, Reeve refused, believing his position to be defensible. However, once he learned the sheer scale of the Confederate forces surrounding him, he recognized that resistance was futile.
Instead of an outright surrender, Van Dorn agreed to allow Reeve and his men to continue their march toward San Antonio under arms. The next day, Confederate officers arrived to confiscate their weapons and military supplies. This diplomatic resolution prevented bloodshed while solidifying Confederate control over the region.
Alamo City Guards; Captain William Edgars Battery
Historical Impact and Legacy
While no shots were fired, the Battle of Adams Hill was significant in shaping the early Confederate control of Texas. The engagement demonstrated the well-coordinated response of Confederate forces, the importance of artillery support provided by William Edgar’s Battery, and the early challenges faced by Union troops in evacuating the state.
Several prominent figures played roles in this engagement, including future Medal of Honor recipient Gen. Zenas Bliss, businessman John Kampmann, Texas Declaration of Independence signer Samuel Maverick, and Texas Ranger William Tobin. Their participation underscores the historical weight of the event.
Preserving History for Future Generations
The relocation of the Adams Hill marker underscores the dedication of historical organizations and individuals who work to ensure the past remains accessible. While some may see historical markers as simple roadside plaques, they serve as essential links to defining moments in history.
Alamo City Guards Camp #1325, in collaboration with the Texas Historical Commission and the Bexar County Historical Commission, remains committed to preserving these landmarks. By visiting the reinstalled marker, Christian Lee and Cody Crislip reaffirmed the camp’s mission to honor and educate others about Texas’ complex and rich Civil War history.
Now securely placed at Adams Hill Park, the marker invites visitors to reflect on this significant moment in history, reinforcing the enduring importance of understanding our past.
