Battle Creek in Madison County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Battle Creek
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 8, 2021
1. Battle Creek Marker
Near this site, July 12, 1859, Nebraska Territorial Militia and U. S. Army Dragoons, totaling 300 men, under the joint command of General John Milton Thayer and Lieutenant Beverly Holcombe Robertson, prepared to attack a large Pawnee village. Alerted, the Pawnee immediately surrendered. Without bloodshed, the Pawnee War of 1859 was ended.
It had begun July 1st, when messengers arrived at Omaha, the territorial capital, reporting numerous depredations by Pawnee against Elk Horn Valley settlers. If the Pawnee were to be punished, immediate action was necessary.
Only the Governor could call out the militia, however, and Governor Samuel Black was a day’s journey away. Petitioned by Omaha citizens, Territorial Secretary J. Sterling Morton assumed the responsibility and issued the call. Thayer with forty men left immediately in pursuit. A few days later he was joined by Governor Black with more volunteers and Lieutenant Robertson with Co. K of the 2nd U. S. Dragoons.
Though no battle occurred, the stream where the attack took place became known as Battle Creek, and the nearby town took the same name when founded in 1867.
Erected by Battle Creek Improvement Club; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 94.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 42° 0.544′ N, 97° 36.082′ W. Marker is in Battle Creek, Nebraska, in Madison County. Marker is on 546th Avenue (State Highway 121) 1.1 miles south of Front Street (U.S. 275), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Battle Creek NE 68715, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Skala Timber House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Meadow Grove (approx. 7.1 miles away); St. Paul's Lutheran Church (approx. 9˝ miles away); Verges Park (approx. 9.6 miles away); The Meridian Highway: From Canada to Mexico (approx. 11.6 miles away); Gilman Park (approx. 13.9 miles away); Old Willow Creek Bridge (approx. 13.9 miles away); Barnes Reserve Cemetery (approx. 14.8 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. History and Stories of Nebraska: The Pawnees. Oldtime Nebraska website entry:
The Pawnee nation as(Submitted on December 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)a whole was never at war with the white people. At times some of the young Pawnees had trouble with the settlers over stock. The so-called Pawnee war of 1859 was to punish a few such thieves. Pawnee men, women and children were frequent visitors in the homes of early Nebraska settlers and a Pawnee camp near a ranch served as a protection against hostile Sioux and Cheyenne.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 8, 20212. Battle Creek Marker(looking west from Nebraska Highway 121)
2. Battle Creek, Nebraska. Wikipedia entry:
Rather than fighting, the Pawnees surrendered before the attack could be launched. Chief Petalesharu draped an American flag over his shoulders and held a peace pipe while confronting the soldiers to stop the fight from taking place, ending the Pawnee War of 1859. Although no battle occurred, the nearby stream was dubbed Battle Creek.(Submitted on December 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
