Marcy Expedition Campsite of, The


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Marker Number: 691 
Marker Title: Campsite of the Marcy Expedition 
Index Entry: Marcy Expedition Campsite of, The 
Address: SH 350, about 4 mi. S of Ira 
City: Ira 
County: Scurry 
UTM Zone: 14 
UTM Easting: 306995 
UTM Northing: 3601810 
Subject Codes: EX; ML; NA; RD 
Year Marker Erected: 1967 
Designations: Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 
Marker Location: From Ira take SH 350 about 4 miles south. 
Marker Size: 27" x 42" 
Repairs Completed:  
Marker Text: At a grove of mesquite and wild chinaberry trees by a creek near here, 
Capt. R. B. Marcy's expedition camped Oct. 7, 1849, while blazing the famous Marcy Trail.
 They saw nothing deadlier than quail and wild turkeys in the area, but the next day, 
tragedy struck. Lt. Montgomery Pike Harrison (1826-1849)--grandson of President 
Wm. Henry Harrison and older brother of later President Benjamin Harrison--
left camp alone to scout a ravine. When he did not return by dark, the company fired
 a Howitzer to signal him, but received no answer. Searchers the next day 
found signs that Harrison, always friendly to the Indians, had stopped and 
smoked with two Indians, believed to be Kiowas. He was disarmed, however, 
taken one mile south and then shot with his own rifle. The Indians scalped and 
stripped the body and threw it into a ravine on Canyon Creek. They were pursued,
 but never captured. Marcy later reported that when his men heard of Harrison's death, 
many hid their faces "to conceal their tears." The body was packed in charcoal and
 taken in a coffin made from a wagon bed to Ft. Smith for burial. Despite this tragedy,
 Marcy's Trail became a major wagon road, taking gold seekers to California and troops 
and supplies across the West Texas frontier. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.