Thursday, March 13, 2014

Custer's account of the Box Family Massacre

In 2008, I posted an article about the Box Family Massacre by Indians,  which occurred August 1866 in  Montague County, Texas.  James Jackson Box, the father, was Grandma Baldwin's (Mabel Leffel Baldwin) first cousin once removed. 

Recently, the following comment was left on my previous post about the massacre:
"There is an account of the Box family massacre and subsequent captivity recorded by General George Custer in Chapter 4 of his book "My Life on The Plains". He obtained the details directly from the mother, whom he met when released from her captivity."

Following a google search, I found not only a pdf of the book available on Internet Archive but also an audio recording.  To listen to the account of the Box Family Massacre choose chapter 5 - about 15 minutes into the chapter.  Custer's book,  "My life on the plains. Or, Personal experiences with Indians,"can be found here.  
 
In 1874, General George A. Custer published his memoirs: "My life on the plains. Or, Personal experiences with Indians."  The 1874 book is part of the Library of Congress collection and was signed by Gen. George A. Custer.

Starting on page 43 (bottom paragraph), Custer relates the story of the Box Family Massacre.





Custer also included a drawing of Santana, 2nd Chief of the Kiowas.  Santana led the group of Indians that attacked, murdered, and kidnapped the Box Family.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for posting this! I am a descendant of Josephine Marzee Box, the second daughter. Her son, James Walter Stewart, is my great grandfather. He was orphaned at a young age and is listed on the census as a ward in the household of Margaret Box and her husband, Daniel Brunson. I would love to learn more about Josephine Marzee Box, and about her husband, Mr. Stewart, since we have no information about their marriage or how they died.

    Amy Winsor, winsorquilts@gmail.com

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    1. I am kin too the box family my great grandfathers mother is a box we have been looking for info on our grandmother .... She is one of box girl that was taken by Indians and live in the tribe my email leann_blanton@yahoo.com

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  2. I am a descendant of Caldona Box daughter of Grief Box and Roenna Johnson Box. Nada Sue Willhoit Davis

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  3. I was told that somewhere along the line in my family someone had an affair with a native from what I think is from the Kiowa tribe. I could be wrong. Please get back to me.

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  4. read the history of montague co. tx. ,true story is there , mrs. box married one of her rescurer's 10 years later , custer was late read the true account.

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  5. The oldest Daughter, Margret Box Brunson’s first child was James Brunson, James Brunson’s first Child was Daniel Brunson. My Dad James Brunson was Daniels third child. I am Bev Brunson ( Genty). I’ve known about this story since I was young. It’s so terrible.

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  6. The oldest Daughter, Margret Box Brunson’s first child was James Brunson, James Brunson’s first Child was Daniel Brunson. My Dad James Brunson was Daniels third child. I am Bev Brunson ( Genty). I’ve known about this story since I was young. It’s so terrible.

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