Discover Oklahoma: Re-enactments recall state’s Civil War role

By Max Nichols - Special Correspondent Comments 0
Published: October 26, 2009

While Civil War battles in the Eastern and Southern states receive the primary national attention for that 1861-65 period, Civil War combat in Indian Territory has been featured increasingly in recent years by the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Annual re-enactments of the Battle of Cabin Creek, the Battle of Middle Boggy and the Battle of Honey Springs have helped thousands of visitors understand what happened between the Union and Confederate forces in what is now eastern Oklahoma. These were among at least 107 engagements that affected the lives of Union and Confederate soldiers, their families, members of the Five Tribes and others living there.

That broader emphasis on Civil War life will be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Honey Springs Battlefield near Checotah and Rentiesville. Re-enactors will demonstrate camp life, cooking, drilling, musket loading and firing, said Ralph Jones, who directs the Honey Springs Battlefield for the Oklahoma Historical Society.

The Civil War life event also will feature the Honey Springs Battlefield, which was opened in 2000. It has become one of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s primary destinations for visitors to learn how Oklahoma was developed.

“It is important to understand how difficult it was for both the Union and Confederate soldiers and their families to live through four years of fighting all around them,” said Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “Cherokee and Creek regiments fought on both sides at Honey Springs. Union forces included black soldiers of the First Kansas Volunteers (Colored) among soldiers from other states, while Texas regiments fought for the Confederacy.

“At the same time, the Honey Springs Battlefield presents a remarkable stage to present Civil War life in Indian Territory. On those grounds along the old Texas Road, more than 3,000 Union troops defeated about 6,000 Confederates on July 17, 1863, in the largest Civil War battle in what is now Oklahoma.”

The 1,100-acre site, which Jones has managed since its early development, features a 3,000-square-foot Visitors’ Center and six walking trails with 55 interpretive signs. The trails are at the Union bivouac area; the Union line of battle; the Texas regiments’ line of battle, including part of the Texas Road; the battle at the bridge over Elk Creek; the final action of the Battle of Honey Springs; and the Honey Springs Confederate supply depot.

To help visitors understand the importance of the overall battle and these areas, 30 re-enactors of the 2nd Colorado Infantry Regiment will encamp near the Visitors’ Center on Nov. 20, Jones said, and continue in camp until noon Nov. 22.

“One of their goals is to march from their camp to the places on the battlefield where a battalion of the 2nd Colorado Regiment engaged the enemy in the Battle of Honey Springs on July 17, 1863,” Jones said. “The Civil War life program will be conducted without charge, and the men of the 2nd Colorado will answer questions. They will demonstrate all the aspects of camp life and will provide answers to general questions about Civil War events in the broader TransMississippi region as well as Indian Territory.”

Extensive archaeological surveys helped the Oklahoma Historical Society prepare for the development of the Honey Springs Battlefield on the site of the battle. Dr. William Lees, former Historic Sites director for the Historical Society, led the survey and said about 1,000 artifacts helped provide a clear view of what happened. Artifacts such as bullets, cannon balls and uniform items help show where the battle lines were and indicate the stages of the battle.

Max Nichols writes a monthly column for the Oklahoma Historical Society.