So famous are the deeds of this legend that a Texas State Historical Marker was secured and erected in Presidio County to honor him. This marker is located at the entrance of the St Francis Plaza located in the downtown area of the city of Presidio. The Marker reads "renowned southwestern mail and stagecoach man. Born in Kentucky, came to Texas before 1846. Served as a U.S. Army scout in Mexican War. About 1851 established the first mail service from San Antonio to El Paso. When the first Butterfield Overland Stagecoach in 1858 made bid to establish fast service to the West Coast, was selected to drive perilous Comanche Indian area from Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos to El Paso. Made it in four days without rest or relief, his 6-foot frame draped with revolvers and Bowie knives. A Confederate scout in the Civil War. From July 1862, when Federals seized El Paso and the Davis Mountains(to make the longest enemy occupation in Texas), served as liaison between regular Confederate troops and the C. S. A. patriots who plotted in their refugee colony in Juarez to recapture West Texas. Knowing country well, came and went at will. Spread false rumors of Confederates massing in deserts, to divert Federal troops from combat. Came to be most dreaded scout known to the occupation. Was hunted by special force commissioned to take him alive. In showdown at Spencer's Ranch here on April 3, 1864, fought to his death." The marker was erected in 1964.
There is much more to be told of this brave man of the desert than is reflected in the marker inscription. Early information relates that Skillman was born in 1814 in Jew Jersey--moving to Kentucky with his family at an early age. Early trade records and diaries relate that Skillman arrived as early as 1842 in Texas, with the teamsters traversing the long, dangerous Santa Fe Trail to the Chihuahua Trail. During the course of these activities, Skillman served as a wagonmaster in the Doniphan expedition into Mexico in 1846-47, distinguishing himself in the Battle of Sacramento. He also served as a guide and interpreter for travelers and troops going into Mexico.
Skillman and friends organized a subscription mail service from El Paso to San Antonio which led to him being awarded a U. S. Mail contract. This costly and dangerous route could not continue long due to the harshness of the country and the contstant Indian attacks. When the Butterfield Overland Mail began, Skillman was also involved as a driver for this service.
He was well respected for his knowledge of the Far West Texas area and his ability to communicate with man and animal to get the job done--whatever that might be.
Numerous are the stories of Skillman exploits---even his drinking bouts and trips across the border. In the 1860 Census of Texas Skillman was recorded as living at Concordia(near present day El Paso).
Skillman was loyal to the Confederacy during the War Between the states. He was a well known spy and courier for the patriots and forces in the far reaches of West Texas and into Mexico.
When the Union Army Forces reoccupied Ft Bliss and the old Franklin area, they were very unhappy to say the least with the activities of Skillman who often started stories about Confederate invasion. This came to a deadly conclusion on April 3, 1864 when the Union officer Captain Albert H. French and his forces located Skillman and his Confederates on Spencer Ranch near Presidio. During a midnight raid on the Confederate Camp, Skillman and other Confederates were killed. The legend of Henry Skillman is alive and well in the Far West Texas counties where Skillman traveled and made history.