The Civil War in the Indian Territory

Divided Loyalties Conflicts between North and South Federal or state authority Industry vs. Agriculture Free vs. slave states (Missouri Compromise) Dred Scott Fugitive Slave Act (abolitionists)

Election of 1860 Problems came in the election of 1860 Republican Candidate- Abraham Lincoln Democratic Candidate- Stephen Douglas Lincoln had no support in the south- was not even on the ballot in some states This was the last straw South Carolina withdrew from the union on December 20, Others followed

Native American Involvement Confederate officials wanted not only the Native Americans for soldiers but were also very aware of the rich resources in Indian Territory In February 1861 leaders approached tribes about aligning with the Confederacy Most wanted to do nothing

Taking Sides The Union withdrew their troops from Indian Territory in April 1861 These troops had left the tribes to fend for themselves. They had to either join the confederacy or fight them on their own. Commissioner of Indian affairs for the confederacy, Albert Pike, approached the Native Americans in July 1861

Taking Sides A few tribes signed treaties with the Confederacy in July 1861 In August many others followed suit. All of the treaties were similar The Confederacy assumed guardianship of the tribes. Became responsible for all of the obligations of the U.S. treaties

War on Indian Land Not all Indians supported Confederacy Creeks were split Upper Creek supported Union Became the “Loyal Creek” Lower Creek supported Confederacy

The Indian Expedition Confederacy weakened in the West Pea Ridge Formed by Union to regain Indian Territory Began June 1, 1862 Captured Fort Gibson and Tahlequah Retreated to Kansas

Black Troops In May 1861 Fredrick Douglas called for African Americans to participate in the Civil War The Union War Department authorized the service of black men in 1862 The 11 th Regiment, United States Colored Troops saw their first action in 1864

War on Indian Land Guerilla Warfare (Small group that harasses the enemy) Raiders often stole cattle & horses and burned homes and villages Refugees Many Native Americans were displaced and had to find homes among other Native Americans or in other territories

The War Ends On April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and ended the Civil War Indian territory was devastated. Native Americans had to again find a way to rebuild their lives

More Treaties with the Tribes Commissioner of Indian affairs said By joining the Confederacy, earlier treaties with the U.S. were no longer valid Also made tribes Proclaim permanent peace Abolish slavery and add the freedmen to the tribe Surrender part of their lands to other tribes.

During the War Some bands of Plains Indians took advantage of the lack of military protection and raided white settlers. (Comanche)

Medicine Lodge Treaty The terms on the treaty stated Live on reservations (no roaming) Learn to farm The U.S. would protect them from hunters and provide food and clothing every year

Fort Sill Sheridan believed a garrison was needed in the heart of Comanche country Buffalo soldiers (black troops of the 10 th Cavalry) constructed most of the Fort Although isolated, the post was a military showplace “A more beautiful locality could hardly be imagined, wild, romantic, and full of nature”

Lawrie Tatum Assigned as Indian Agent at Fort Sill Tatum’s job was to distribute goods Tatum believed that ample supplies would keep Indians peacefully on the reservation. Fewer annuity goods were received each year

Do NOT Write Indians repeatedly told Lawrie Tatum “If they behaved well they got but a small amount of goods and the only way to get a large amount was to go on the war path a while, kill a few white people, steal a good many horses and mules, and then make a treaty and they would get a large amount of presents and a liberal supply of goods for that fall”

Westward Expansion The Pacific Railway Act Began the process of building railway and telegraph lines across the country Homestead Act of 1862 Turned over vast amounts of public land to settlers This forced more tribes to relocate to Indian territory.

Relocating Other Tribes Although Indian Territory was shrinking, still more tribes were being moved there Today Native Americans from more than 67 tribes call Oklahoma home. 39 of these maintain headquarters in Oklahoma In 2000, the Native American population in Oklahoma was 273,200

Questions 1. What are the factors that led to the Civil War? 2. What was the name of the Indian Agent assigned to Fort Sill? 3. What regiment of black troops was deployed in Indian Territory? 4. Who was Albert Pike? 5. Describe the election of Why was it significant?