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Veteran Affairs

2012-01-25 15:48:08

Civil War battle summaries by state

A: Sure. I found several sites to put this information together. One of the best is www.nps.gov. Last issue, we featured some of the battles in Kansas, namely Baxter Springs, Lawrence, Marias des Cygnes and Mine Creek. This issue we will feature some of the battles in Oklahoma. Cabin Creek Other Names: None Location: Mayes County Campaign: Operations to Control Indian Territory (1863) Date(s): July 1-2, 1863 Principal Commanders: Col. James M. Williams [US]; Col. Stand Watie [CS] Forces Engaged: Detachments from nine units [US]; two regiments and detachments from two other units (approx. 1,600-1,800) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 88 total (US 23; CS 65) Description: Col. James M. Williams of the First Kansas Colored Infantry led a Union supply train from Fort Scott, Kansas, to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma (then Indian Territory). As he approached the crossing of Cabin Creek, he learned that Confederate Col. Stand Watie, with about 1,600 to 1,800 men intended to assault him there. Watie was waiting for about 1,500 reinforcements under the command of Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell to join him before attacking the supply train. Cabell, however, was detained due to high water on Grand River. Cabin Creek also had high water, preventing a crossing at first, but when it had receded enough, Williams drove the Confederates off with artillery fire and two cavalry charges. The wagon train continued to Fort Gibson and delivered the supplies, making it possible for the Union forces to maintain their presence in Indian Territory and take the offensive that resulted in a victory at Honey Springs and the fall of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Result(s): Union victory Chustenahlah Other Names: None Location: Osage County Campaign: Operations in the Indian Territory (1861) Date(s): December 26, 1861 Principal Commanders: Chief Opothleyahola [I]; Col. James McQueen McIntosh [CS] Forces Engaged: Creek and Seminole [I]; McIntosh’s and Douglas Cooper’s brigades [CS] Estimated Casualties: Unknown Description: Confederate troops had undertaken a campaign to subdue the Native American Union sympathizers in Indian Territory and consolidate control. They had attacked Chief Opothleyahola’s band of Creeks and Seminoles earlier at Round Mountain and Chusto-Talasah. Now, they wanted to finish them off by assaulting them in their camp at Chustenahlah in a well-protected cove on Battle Creek. Col. James McQueen McIntosh and Col. Douglas H. Cooper, commanding the Indian Department, planned a combined attack with each of their columns moving on the camp from different directions. McIntosh left Fort Gibson on December 22, with 1,380 men. On the 25th, he was informed that Cooper’s force could not join for a while, but he decided to attack the next day, despite being outnumbered. McIntosh attacked the camp at noon on the 26th. The Union defenders were secluded in the underbrush along the slope of a rugged hill, but as the Confederate attack came forward, the Native Americans began to fall back, taking cover for a while and then moving back. The retreat became a rout as the Federals reached their camp. They attempted to make a stand there but were forced away again. The survivors fled; many went all the way to Kansas where they found loyal Unionists. Chief Opothleyahola’s band of Creeks and Seminoles mounted no resistance again. Result(s): Confederate victory Chusto-Talasah Other Names: Caving Banks Location: Tulsa County Campaign: Operations in the Indian Territory (1861) Date(s): December 9, 1861 Principal Commanders: Chief Opothleyahola [I]; Col. Douglas H. Cooper [CS] Forces Engaged: Creek and Seminole [I]; Indian Department [CS] Estimated Casualties: Unknown Description: Following Chief Opothleyahola and his Union force’s defeat at Round Mountain, he retreated northeastward, in search of safety. On December 9, 1861, the force was at Chusto-Talasah, or Caving Banks, on the Horseshoe Bend of Bird Creek when Col. Douglas H. Cooper’s 1,300 Confederates attacked Chief Opothleyahola around 2:00 pm. Chief Opothleyahola knew Cooper was coming and had placed his troops in a strong position at Horseshoe Bend. For almost four hours, Cooper attacked and attempted to outflank the Federals, finally driving them east across Bird Creek just before dark. Cooper camped there overnight but did not pursue the Federals because he was short of ammunition. The Confederates claimed victory. Chief Opothleyahola and his band moved off in search of security elsewhere. Although the Confederates had gained a victory, they would win a resounding one later in the month at Chustenahlah. Result(s): Confederate victory Honey Springs Other Names: Elk Creek, Shaw’s Inn Location: Muskogee County and McIntosh County Campaign: Operations to Control Indian Territory (1863) Date(s): July 17, 1863 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt [US]; Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper [CS] Forces Engaged: District of the Frontier [US]; 1st Brigade, Native American troops [CS] Estimated Casualties: 716 total (US 79; CS 637) Description: Union and Confederate troops had frequently skirmished in the vicinity of Honey Springs Depot. The Union commander in the area, Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt, correctly surmised that Confederate forces, mostly Native American troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, were about to concentrate and would then attack his force at Fort Gibson. He decided to defeat the Confederates at Honey Springs Depot before they were joined by Brig. Gen. William Cabell’s brigade, advancing from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Blunt began crossing the swollen Arkansas River on July 15, 1863, and by midnight on July 16-17, he had a force of 3,000 men, composed of whites, Native Americans and African Americans, marching toward Honey Springs. Blunt skirmished with Rebel troops early on the morning of the 17th, and by midafternoon, full-scale fighting ensued. The Confederates had wet powder, causing misfires and the problem intensified when rain began. After repulsing one attack, Cooper pulled his forces back to obtain new ammunition. In the meantime, Cooper began to experience command problems, and he learned that Blunt was about to turn his left flank. The Confederate retreat began, and although Cooper fought a rearguard action, many of those troops counterattacked, failed and fled. Any possibility of the Confederates taking Fort Gibson was gone. Following this battle, Union forces controlled Indian Territory, north of the Arkansas River. Result(s): Union victory Next month, we will feature three more battles in Oklahoma…Middle Boggy Depot, Old Fort Wayne and Round Mountain.