Indigenous Peoples in the American Civil War

United States   U.S Military    U.S. Civil War    Native Americans in the Civil War



Introduction
During the Civil War, 28,693 Native Americans served in the Union and Confederate armies. They served in various regiments in Oklahoma as well as in military units of other states. "Many Native American tribes fought in the war including: the Delaware, Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Kickapoo, Seneca, Osage, Shawnee, Choctaw, Lumbee, Chickasaw, Iroquois, Powhatan, Pequot, Ojibwa, Huron, Odawa, Potawatomi, Catawba, and Pamunkey. The Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Catawba, and Creek tribes were the only tribes to fight on the Confederate side."

Union General Ely S. Parker, of the Seneca tribe, was the military secretary of Ulysses S. Grant and a lawyer. He wrote the articles of surrender signed by Robert E. Lee.

The following is not a complete list.

Confederate Regular Troops

 * Washington's Squadron of Indians, CSA (Reserve Squadron Cavalry)(Confederate) Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit

Cherokee

 * 1st Regiment, Cherokee Mounted Volunteers, CSA (Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.


 * 1st Regiment, Cherokee Mounted Rifles, CSA (Confederate) 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles was organized at Old Fort Wayne, Delaware District, Cherokee Nation, in July, 1861. For a time it served in the Department of the Indian Territory, then was assigned to D.H. Cooper's and Watie's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. The unit was active in the engagements at Elkhorn Tavern, Old Fort Wayne, Prairie Grove, Elk Creek, and Mazzard Prairie. About 200 officers and men saw action at Cabin Creek in September, 1864, then surrendered on June 23, 1865. Its commanders were Colonels James M. Bell and Stand Watie; Lieutenant Colonels Robert C. Parks, Thomas F. Taylor, Joseph F. Thompson, and Clem N. Vann; and Majors E.C. Bondinot and E.J. Howland.


 * 1st Squadron, Cherokee Mounted Volunteers (Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.


 * 2nd Regiment, Cherokee Mounted Volunteers, CSA (Confederate) 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles was organized near Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, in September, 1861. It served in the Department of the Indian Territory, then was assigned to D.H. Cooper's and Watie's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The unit skirmished and raided the Federals in the Indian Territory and in September, 1864, fought at Cabin Creek with 150 officers and men. Later it surrendered at Doaksville with the other Indian forces. The field officers were Colonel William P. Adair; Lieutenant Colonel O.H.P. Brewer; and Majors Porter Hammock, J.R. Harden, and John Vann.


 * Cherokee Regiment, CSA (Special Service)(Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.


 * Cherokee Regiment, Volunteer Cavalry, CSA (Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.

Chickasaw

 * 1st Battalion, Chickasaw Cavalry, CSA (Confederate) 1st Chickasaw Cavalry Battalion was organized in the fall of 1862 with five companies. It served in T. Walker's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and skirmished in the Indian Territory and along the border. The unit was included in the surrender on June 23, 1865, with about 75 officers and men. Lieutenant Colonel J.D. Harris and Major L.M. Reynolds were in command.


 * 1st Regiment, Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, CSA (Confederate) 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, formed at Scullyville, Choctaw Nation, in July, 1861, contained 1,085 men. During May, 1862, it had 27 officers and 707 men present for duty. This unit contained six companies of Choctaws, three of Chickasaw, and one of half-breeds. It reported 12 casualties at Newtonia, then was assigned to D.H. Cooper's and T. Walker's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. The regiment skirmished and raided the Federals in the Indian Territory and in April, 1863, had 3 men disabled in the fight at Poison Spring. It was included in the surrender on June 23, 1865. The field officers were Colonel Douglas H. Cooper; Lieutenant Colonels James Riley and Tandy Walker; and Majors Willis J. Jones, Mitchell LeFlore, and Stephen Loering.


 * 1st Regiment, Chickasaw Infantry, CSA (Hunter's Indian Volunteers) (Confederate) 1st Chickasaw Cavalry Regiment was formed during the spring of 1863, but was always undermanned. It was attached to General D.H. Cooper's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and participated in various conflicts in the Indian Territory. The unit disbanded late in 1864. Lieutenant Colonel S.H. Martin and Major Abram B. Hays were its commanders.


 * Shecoe's Chickasaw Battalion, Mounted Volunteers, CSA(Confederate) Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit

Choctaw

 * 1st Battalion, Choctaw Cavalry, CSA (McCurtain's) (Confederate) Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.


 * 1st Regiment, Choctaw Mounted Rifles, CSA (Confederate) 1st Choctaw Cavalry Regiment completed its organization during the early spring of 1862 where Atoka now stands in the Choctaw Nationa. In May there were 31 officers and 686 men present for duty. It sustained 9 casualties in the fight at Newtonia, then saw action at Old Fort Wayne. Later the unit was assigned to T. Walker's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and skirmished in the Indian Territory and along the border. In June, 1865, it was included in the surrender at Doaksville. The field officers were Colonel Sampson Folsom, Lieutenant Colonel David F. Harkins, and Major Sylvester Durant.


 * 1st Regiment, Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, CSA (Confederate) 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, formed at Scullyville, Choctaw Nation, in July, 1861, contained 1,085 men. During May, 1862, it had 27 officers and 707 men present for duty. This unit contained six companies of Choctaws, three of Chickasaw, and one of half-breeds. It reported 12 casualties at Newtonia, then was assigned to D.H. Cooper's and T. Walker's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. The regiment skirmished and raided the Federals in the Indian Territory and in April, 1863, had 3 men disabled in the fight at Poison Spring. It was included in the surrender on June 23, 1865. The field officers were Colonel Douglas H. Cooper; Lieutenant Colonels James Riley and Tandy Walker; and Majors Willis J. Jones, Mitchell LeFlore, and Stephen Loering.


 * 2nd Regiment, Choctaw Cavalry, CSA (Confederate) 1st Choctaw Cavalry War [also called 2nd Choctaw Regiment] was organized during the summer of 1862. Formerly Battice's 1st Choctaw Cavalry Battalion which in May contained 216 effectives. Assigned to the Department of the Indian Territory, the unit skirmished and raided the Federals. Later it lost 4 killed and 4 wounded at Poison Spring and surrendered in June, 1865. Colonel Simpson N. Folsom was in command.


 * 3rd Regiment, Choctaw Cavalry, CSA (Confederate) 3rd Choctaw Cavalry Regiment was organized during the fall of 1863 using McCurtain's 1st Choctaw Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. It was assigned to T. Walker's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and skirmished in the Indian Territory. The regiment surrendered at Doaksville on June 23, 1865. Its commanders were Colonel Jackson McCurtain, Lieutenant Colonel (acting) Tom Lewis, and Major John Page.


 * Choctaw Infantry, CSA (Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.


 * Wilkins' Company, Choctaw Infantry, CSA(Confederate) Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit

Creek

 * 1st Regiment Creek Mounted Volunteers, CSA(Confederate) 1st Creek Infantry Regiment was organized near Eufaula, Creek Nation, in August, 1861, and served as mounted infantry. During May, 1862, about 900 officers and men were present, and for a time the unit was assigned to the Department of Indian Territory. It then was attached to D.H. Cooper's, and Watie's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The regiment saw action at Elkhorn Tavern and Old Fort Wayne, and later raided the Federals in the Indian Territory. In September, 1864, about 125 men fought at Cabin Creek and on June 23, 1865, surrendered with the other Indian troops. Its commanders were Colonel D.N. McIntosh, Lieutenant Colonels Samuel Chekote and W.R. McIntosh, and Majors J. Derrysaw and James McHenry.


 * 2nd Regiment, Creek Mounted Volunteers, CSA (Confederate) 2nd Creek Infantry Regiment completed its organization in September, 1861, near Eufaula, Creek Nation, and served as mounted infantry. It was formed as the 1st Creek Battalion and in May, 1862, totalled about 400 officers and men. New companies were added and within a year it was brought up to regimental strength. The unit was assigned to duty in the Department of the Indian Territory, then was placed in General D.H. Cooper's and Watie's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. It raided and skirmished in the Indian Territory and surrendered in June, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Timothy Barnett and Chilly McIntosh, and Lieutenant Colonel Pink Hawkins.

Osage

 * 1st Osage Battalion, CSA (Confederate) Osage Battalion was organized during the spring of 1863 with four companies. It was assigned to General D.H. Cooper's and Watie's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. This unit participated in various conflicts in the Indian Territory and surrendered in June, 1865. Major Broke Arm was in command.

Seminole

 * 1st Regiment, Seminole Mounted Volunteers, CSA (Confederate) 1st Seminole Cavalry Battalion completed its organization in September, 1861, and for a time served in the Department of the Indian Territory. During May, 1862, it had 380 men present for duty. Later the unit was assigned to D.H. Cooper's and Watie's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. It served as scouts and raided the Federals in the Indian Territory and along the border. In September, 1864, the battalion took 130 officers and men into the fight at Cabin Creek, but few surrendered in June, 1865. Lieutenant Colonel John Jumper and Major George Cloud were in command.

Florida

 * McBride's Company, Florida (Indians) (Confederate) "Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.

Mississippi

 * 1st Choctaw Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry Organized at Jackson, Mississippi, during the summer of 1862. Disbanded on June 9, 1863.

Missouri

 * 1st Battalion, Missouri Cavalry (1st Indian Brigade) - Confederate Mustered in: organized during the spring of 1864. Mustered out: The unit was at Fort Washita, Indian Territory, in May, 1865 and soon disbanded.

Confederate - First Indian Cavalry Brigade
Created early 1864 when Major General Samuel B. Maxey reorganized Confederate troops in Indian Territory. Colonel Stand Watie was its commander.


 * First Cherokee Regiment (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early1864. Colonel Robert C. Parks, commanding.


 * Second Cherokee Regiment (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Colonel William P. Adair, commanding.


 * Cherokee Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Major Joseph A. Scales, commanding.


 * First Osage Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Major Broke Arm, commanding.


 * First Creek Regiment (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Colonel Daniel N. McIntosh, commanding.


 * Second Creek Regiment (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Colonel Chilly McIntosh, commanding.


 * Creek Squadron (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Captain R. Kenard, commanding.


 * First Seminole Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Lieutenant Colonel John Jumper, commanding.

Confederate - Second Indian Cavalry Brigade
Created early 1864 when Major General Samuel B. Maxey reorganized Confederate troops in Indian Territory. Colonel Tandy Walker was its commander. It was mostly composed of veteran soldiers from various Choctaw and Chickasaw units.


 * First Chickasaw Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Lieutenant Colonel Lemuel N. Reynolds, commanding.


 * First Choctaw and Chickasaw Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Lieutenant Colonel James Riley, commanding.


 * First Choctaw Battalion (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Lieutenant Colonel Jackson McCurtain, commanding.


 * Second Choctaw Regiment (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Colonel Simpson N. Folsom, commanding.


 * George Washington's Reserve Squadron (Oklahoma) (Confederate) Created probably in early 1864. Captain George Washington, commanding.

Union - Indian Home Guard

 * 1st Regiment, Indian Home Guard (Oklahoma) (Union) Organized at Le Roy, Kansas, May 22, 1862.


 * 2nd Regiment, Indian Home Guard (Oklahoma) (Union) Organized on Big Creek and at Five-Mile Creek, Kansas, June 22 to July 18, 1862. Commanded by Colonel John Ritchie Consisted of one company each of Delaware, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Seneca, and Shawnee, two companies of Osage, and two of Cherokee.


 * 3rd Regiment, Indian Home Guard (Oklahoma) (Union) Organized at Tahlequah and Park Hill in July 1862 with Colonel William A. Phillips as commander.


 * 4th Regiment, Indian Home Guard (Oklahoma) (Union) Organization commenced but not completed. Men transferred to other organizations.

Internet Sites

 * Oklahoma Historical Society, Civil War Era, article in the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed 15 August 2011). This article discusses how the Civil War impacted the Five Civilized Tribes.
 * Oklahoma Historical Society, Civil War Refugees, article in the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed 15 August 2011).
 * Oklahoma Historical Society, Free Companies, article in the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed 15 August 2011). Free companies were irregular soldiers. They sometimes included partisans, renegades, bandits, and bushwhackers. Such groups infested the Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
 * Wikipedia contributers, Indian Home Guard (American Civil War), (accessed 28 April 2011).
 * Wikipedia contributers, Native Americans in the American Civil War, (accessed 15 August 2011).

Books

 * Abel, Annie Heloise, The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War, (Cleveland, Ohio: Arthur H. Clark, 1919). Gutenberg Online Reader.
 * Abel, Annie Heloise, The American Indian as Slaveholder and Secessionist, Reprint. Originally published: Cleveland : Arthur H. Clarke Co., 1915. (Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, c1992). Internet Archive.
 * Fischer, LeRoy H., ed., The Civil War Era in Indian Territory, (Los Angeles: Lorrin L. Morrison, 1974). Libraries with book (WorldCat)
 * Fischer, LeRoy H. and Jerry Gill, Confederate Indian Forces Outside of Indian Territory, (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Oklahoma Historical Society, c1969), 36 pages. Libraries with book (WorldCat)
 * Taylor, Ethel Crisp, Indian Territory, 1861-1865 : the Forts, the Battles, the Soldiers, (Westminster, Maryland : Heritage Books, c2010), 610 pages., Libraries with book (WorldCat).