George Boutwell’s

Las Cuevas Ebony


Painting completed in: 2011

This Texas Ebony Tree is on the Banks of the Rio Grande at the town of Los Ebanos and is the current Anchor for the only hand pulled Ferry along the United States Border. This river crossing has been used since ancient times and is the spot where General (later United States President) Zachary Taylor invaded Mexico in 1846 just months after accepting the proclamation to admit Texas as a State in the Union in 1845. In 1875 Texas Ranger Captain L. H. McAnelly and 5 Rangers, 3 Customs agents and 4 U.S. Cavalry crossed here and fought a Gun Battle with Mexican Cattle Rustlers in the town of Las Cuevas (known today as San Miguel)