October 5, 1838 - Eastern Texas

The recent loss at the Alamo still stings the Texans' pride and the nullification of the treaty that granted land to the Cherokee is fueling anger in the Native Americans.  New immigrants and U.S. citizens, looking for a better life, rushed to grab the land formerly promised to the Cherokee and other smaller tribes.  After their daughter, Abigail, lost her fiancé in the battle for the Alamo, the Killough family moved from Talladega County, Alabama to Northern Texas.  There they began to piece together a new life until a rogue Cherokee raiding party destroyed their homestead and abducted Abigail’s twin sister, Ethel. 

Currently, General Tomas Rusk of the U.S. Calvary has just completed a campaign to seek out and destroy Mexican agents hiding among the Kickapoo tribes.  He has left Colonel Robert Olsen to find any remaining agents and 'remove' them.  Eastern Texas is now a hot-spot for aggression from all sides.  The U.S. Calvary still hearing the cries of the Alamo, the Mexican sympathizers being pushed into hiding - fearing for their lives, and the Native Americans - once again forced off land promised to them, create an atmosphere ripe for disaster.

"Though caution should always be used when enforcing the laws [of the Republic of Texas], we cannot sit idle while those that wish us harm continue to hide and plot against us."  General Thomas Rusk - during a speech given to troops as he turned over command to Colonel Olsen.

On October 1, 1838, a small band of wandering Native Americans decided to protest their removal from the land the Killough family now claims.  Unfortunately for them, disgruntled Mexicans decide to take advantage of this peaceful protest by harassing the Killough family - disguised at Native Americans.  For three straight days these agents continue to harass the Killoughs and other settlers in the area.

"Any action taken against a Texas citizen will be met with due and just force.  Our boys [at the Alamo] didn't give their lives only to have their kinfolk  run off by Indians who have the right to be here."  Colonel Robert Olsen in reaction to hearing about the harassment of the settlers in Eastern Texas - October 4, 1838.

It is now October 5, 1838 and the Natives march to the Killough homestead to protest but the Killough's aren't going to be harassed anymore.  The first shot is fired...by who we don't know...but what we do know is that both sides are now gripped in a bloody battle.  A battle that will soon involve a warrior like the world has ever known and Abby's life is about to change dramatically...again.

General Tomas Rusk

Killough Homestead - Summer of 1838