{ The Civil War in Indian Territory

 Summarize the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction Treaties on Native American peoples, territories, and tribal sovereignty Content Standard

 Understand the events leading up to the American Civil War Objective

  Tensions were growing in the country over a variety of issues such as: tariffs on imported and exported goods and regional differences on federal versus state authority, which became known as an issue of state’s rights. A Conflict Coming?

  In the North, cheap labor was provided by thousands of immigrants. While most people in the south lived on small farms and owned no slaves, a few who were wealthy and powerful strongly believed that African slaves were essential to their economy and lifestyle. Due to their larger population, the North had more representation in the House of Representatives; the South saw this as a threat to their way of life.

  Slavery died out in the North because of cheap immigrant labor and the moral beliefs of some. If cotton had not been so profitable, it might have died out in the South before a conflict occurred. However, tensions were rising and several attempts were made to maintain the balance of power in Congress and maintain the peace. Increasing Tensions

  In 1820, the Missouri Compromise established a dividing line. Threatened by John C. Calhoun’s talk of southern succession, the Compromise of 1850 tried to resolve the issue. However, northern abolitionists (people against slavery) ignored the fugitive slave act and became even more active in the Underground Railroad (a secret network of safe places for slaves to hide as they escaped).

  In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed which allowed for popular sovereignty (the people deciding for themselves by vote) to determine the issue of slavery. This led to violence and the Kansas Territory being known as “Bleeding Kansas”. Then, the Dred Scott ruling by the Supreme Court found that slaves had no rights which meant Congress had no legal right to stop slavery.

The Election of 1860 – Tensions come to a head

Douglas Breckenridge

  The Republican Party, which was dominated by Northerners, nominated Abraham Lincoln who opposed slavery, supported free western homesteads, protective tariffs, and a transcontinental railroad. With a split Democratic Party and newly formed Constitutional Union Party, Lincoln won 40% of the popular vote and 60% of the electoral vote which all came from Northern or Western states.

  Almost immediately, southern states began carrying out their threat to succeed; South Carolina withdrew on December 20 th In February of 1861, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas formed the Confederate States of America. In April 1861, war broke out at Fort Sumter. Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia joined the Confederacy.

  Indian Territory was rich in resources including: horses, cattle, grain, and lead for making ammunition, salt, and men who could become soldiers. It was also valuable to the South as a buffer and a central base west of the Mississippi. War in Indian Territory

  In February of 1861, officials from Texas approached the Five Tribes about supporting the Confederacy, but many declined because they decided, “simply to do nothing, to keep quiet and to comply with their treaties.” The Civil War, however, quickly spilled into Indian Territory. Of the many military forts in Indian Territory, only three were manned in the spring of Fort Washita, Fort Arbuckle, and Fort Cobb. In April 1861, secessionists (those who supported withdrawing from the union) seized military supplies headed for the Forts. All three Forts were abandoned

 Understand the significance of the Civil War in Indian Territory Objectives

  Tribes had different opinions – side with North, side with South, remain neutral. Taking Sides

  South? Tribes would loss the money promised to them by the Federal government but many felt abandoned by them already. Federal troops had withdrawn so the tribes had to either fight the Confederacy on their own or accept it. Some tribes were led to believe that, if the South won, they would be allowed to return to their homelands.

  Albert Pike was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The Cherokee Chief, John Ross, said that he refused to destroy his people for the “white man’s” quarrel. The Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Caddo, Washita, Osage, and Shawnee all signed treaties. While different, these treaties all included that the Confederacy would assume guardianship of the Tribes and become responsible for obligations to the Tribes imposed by former treaties with the United States. Not wanting to stand alone, John Ross reluctantly signed a treaty with the Confederacy. Cherokee Mounted Rifles, Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles

  The Native Americans who supported the Union or wanted to remain neutral felt overpowered. War on Indian Land

  The Loyal Creek – Despite the Creek treaty with the Confederacy, Upper Creek leader Opothleyahola, a large number of Creek followers, and about 6,500 from other tribes appealed to the “Great Father” in Washington for help. Aware of the Loyal Creek’s appeal to Washington, Cooper’s 2,000 man regiment attacked the “Loyal” on November 19 th, 1861 just northwest of Tulsa); when the skirmish stopped due to darkness, the “Loyal” retreated north and left most of their possessions behind.

  On December 9 th, Cooper again attacked the “Loyal” and it resulted in another stalemate. On December 26 th, the “Loyal” were attacked again near Skiatook and defeated. They fled north; the dead and wounded were left to freeze in the blizzard.

  first half of the war saw many Confederate victories; however, the Union won a decisive victory at Pea Ridge. This caused the Confederate leaders to retreat into Indian Territory, abandon Fort Davis, and set up Fort McCulloch Pea Ridge

  The Indian Expedition – This loss weakened the Confederate position in the west. Union leaders summoned troops from Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and two regiments of the loyal Native Americans to form the Indian Expedition to regain control of the Indian Territory.

  After a few skirmishes, Colonel William Weer faced the Confederate forces at Locust Grove on July 3 rd Confederate forces fell back under heavy artillery fire and Union soldiers took over Fort Gibson and Tahlequah, where they were welcomed by a grateful Chief John Ross. However, poor leadership and a counterattack sent the Union forces back to Kansas.

  African American Troops – Frederick Douglass called for African Americans to participate in the Civil War. The War Department authorized it and, then, President Lincoln endorsed it in African American soldiers in the 11 th Regiment, United States Colored Troops, were sent to Indian Territory to guard government stock and hay at Gunther’s Prairie. They were attacked by about 400 Confederates but held their position and forced the Confederates to retreat.

  Colonel William Philips, left in charge of the Union Indian troops, had been combating raids, helping find food for the Native Americans who stayed, and trying to convince the Cherokee to return to the recaptured land. Cabin Creek

  In February 1863, Union Cherokee met, elected John Ross as their chief and Thomas Pegg as acting chief, abolished slavery, and declared Stand Watie and his followers outlaws. By April, the Union had recaptured Fort Gibson; in July, a Union supply train was headed for Fort Gibson but were captured by Watie’s regiment at a river. After a bloody and costly fight, the Union infantry held off Watie’s men and the supplies went to Fort Gibson as planned. This Battle, the Battle of Cabin Creek, was the first engagement of the Civil War in which African American, white, and Native American troops fought side by side.

  In July 1863, Union General Blunt heard of a Confederate plan to join two Confederate forces together to attack Union troops at For Gibson. Wanting to attack first, he began moving artillery and men toward Honey Springs, a Confederate supply depot. Honey Springs

  After a small skirmish early on July 17 th, a two-hour battle ensued. Many Texans were killed and Confederate forces retreated; before retreating, they set their storage buildings on fire but Blunt’s men were able to save most of the supplies. The Battle of Honey Springs was the largest, bloodiest, and most decisive Civil War battle in the Indian Territory.

  The Battle at Perryville – Trying to defeat the Confederates in Indian Territory once and for all, Blunt attacked on August 26 th. The Confederates hastily retreated; Blunt’s forces took a few supplies and then burned the town.

  Guerilla Fighting – From the fall of Fort Smith in September 1863 to the Confederate surrender in Indian Territory in 1865, the only warfare in Indian Territory was guerilla activity. A guerrilla is a member of a small military group that harasses the enemy. Colonel William Quantrill, a Confederate raider base out of Kansas, roamed Indian Territory.

  Refugees – Neither side anticipated many Native American refugees. However, there were many. About 7,000 of the “Loyal” eventually made it to Kansas. Confederate Native American refugees sought safety in Choctaw camps or across the Red River. Following the Confederate defeat at Honey Springs, the Cherokee and Creek quickly tried to get out of the way of the Union troops. Confederate Brigadier General Samuel Maxey attempted to care for the refugees which sometimes numbered almost 14,000.

  At Appomattox Court House on April 9 th 1865, General Robert E Lee surrendered to Ulysses S Grant. The last Confederate surrender was General Stand Watie on June 23 rd War Ends

  Before the war formally ended, the Creek tried to arrange a General Council of all the Natives at Council Grove to present a united front to the North but Union forces did not approve of the meeting. The Five Tribes Confederate representatives met and adopted a compact of peace to present to the US. However, it made little difference. Indian Territory was devastated and the Native Americans would have to rebuild their lives again.