Oklahoma Journeys
Week of July 12, 2008
Battle of Honey Springs, 1863
It’s a Civil War showdown this week on Oklahoma Journeys. Although Indian Territory or Oklahoma isn’t really known for its Civil War history, there were a number of significant engagements that took place here. Often considered one of the most important Civil War actions in the Indian Territory was the Battle of Honey Springs, and that’s the topic on this week’s Oklahoma Journey’s from the Oklahoma Historical Society.
From the Oklahoma Historical Society, this is Oklahoma Journeys. I’m Michael Dean.
Although when compared with some other states Oklahoma’s involvement in the Civil War seems fairly minimal, for citizens of the Indian Territory, their lives were just as drastically altered as anywhere else in the country. Indian nations, just like the rest of the country, divided themselves between the union and the confederacy with many homes, families, and lives being destroyed in the process. Whenever northern or southern forces moved through Indian Territory it meant disruption, loss, or death for anyone thought to be affiliated with the other side.
In July of 1863 fighting occurred in Indian Territory that, oddly enough, would help to provide some stability for residents of the area. Between the beginning of the war in 1861 and July of 1863, confederate forces dominated the area of Indian Territory, with the northern forces always looking to retake control. By 1863 the Confederates were in a position to completely take over Indian Territory and were planning to do so by attacking Ft. Gibson, one of the last northern held posts in the area. Hearing of the planned attack on their post at Fort Gibson union leaders re-supplied their troops, brought reinforcements in from Kansas and took to the offensive. Heading south-west out of Fort Gibson the union infantry, cavalry and artillery units marched through most of the night and pouring rain. It was in this week of 1863 on July 17, at the confederate encampment at Honey Springs north of the present day Checotah, that northern and southern forces met. The Battle of Honey Springs was a hard fought encounter and one of the first engagements of the war involving African-American troops. Within four hours outnumbered and out fought, confederate forces were in full retreat down the Texas road, today’s highway 69.
The Battle of Honey Springs is sometimes referred to as the Gettysburg of the west because it proved to be the turning point of the war for Indian Territory. After the battle Union forces controlled the region for the duration of the war. The back and forth movement of the armies across the land subsided and at least some semblance of peace returned again to the tribes that called this region home.
The Honey Creek battlefield site is owned and operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. This fall, on the weekend of September 27 and 28, a reenactment of the battle will be held at the Honey Springs battlefield. It’s held in the fall, rather than in July when the battle actually occurred to avoid the usual extremely hot weather that takes its toll on the reenactors and visitors. Activities will take place all day long and the public is invited to attend. There is no charge for attending. In addition, the military exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center features a display on the battle and some artifacts from the Battle of Honey Springs. The Oklahoma History Center is located on NE 23rd Street just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Journeys is a production of the Oklahoma Historical Society dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of our state’s past. I’m Michael Dean.