Robert W. Smith was born in North Carolina and moved to Texas in 1836, enlisted in the Texas Army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. After the war Smith continued in the Texas Army obtaining the rank of Capt. During the Cherokee War Smith had the dubious honor of having fired the fatal shot that killed Chief Bowles. Chief Bowles was the last great chief of the Cherokee's. The 84 year-old Chief was wounded in battle, crippled by a gunshot to the back and thigh, dragged himself to a tree, and reclined against the trunk. There, Capt. Robert Smith put pistol to his head and shot him as an act of revenge. Chief Bowles' Cherokees had executed Jesse Watkins, a peace commissioner who was Smith's father-in-law. Grave location: N32.20983 W94.88938
Robert W. Smith was born in North Carolina and moved to Texas in 1836, enlisted in the Texas Army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. After the war Smith continued in the Texas Army obtaining the rank of Capt. During the Cherokee War Smith had the dubious honor of having fired the fatal shot that killed Chief Bowles. Chief Bowles was the last great chief of the Cherokee's. The 84 year-old Chief was wounded in battle, crippled by a gunshot to the back and thigh, dragged himself to a tree, and reclined against the trunk. There, Capt. Robert Smith put pistol to his head and shot him as an act of revenge. Chief Bowles' Cherokees had executed Jesse Watkins, a peace commissioner who was Smith's father-in-law. Grave location: N32.20983 W94.88938
Bio by: Lanny Medlin
Inscription
Soldier in the TX War for Independence at San Jacinto 1836
Gravesite Details
Husband of Mary Jane Wynne Smith
Family Members
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