Battle of Cabin Creek
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Cabin Creek took place on July 1, 1863, in Mayes County, Oklahoma
during the American Civil War
.
The First Kansas Colored Infantry (led by Col. James M. Williams) led a Union
supply train from Fort Scott, Kansas
to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
(then Indian Territory
). As Williams approached the Cabin Creek crossing, he was informed that the Confederates
, under Col.
Stand Watie
, were intending to ambush them with about 1,600 to 1,800 men. Watie was waiting for approximately 1,500 reinforcements led by Brig. Gen.
William L. Cabell to attack. However, due to high water on the Grand River, Cabell was unable to make it to the Cabin Creek crossing in time. Williams eventually forced the Confederates to retreat with a series of two cavalry charges and an artillery barrage. The wagon train eventually made it to Fort Gibson and delivered the supplies.
Mayes County, Oklahoma
Mayes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It was named for Samuel Houston Mayes, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899. According to the 2010 census the population was 41,259, a 7.5 percent increase from 2000, when the population was 38,369...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
The First Kansas Colored Infantry (led by Col. James M. Williams) led a Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
supply train from Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National...
to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
Fort Gibson is a town in Cherokee and Muskogee counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 4,054 at the 2000 census. It is the location of Fort Gibson National Cemetery and is located near at the end of the Cherokees' Trail of Tears at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.Colonel Matthew Arbuckle of...
(then Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
). As Williams approached the Cabin Creek crossing, he was informed that the Confederates
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
, under Col.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Stand Watie
Stand Watie
Stand Watie , also known as Standhope Uwatie, Degataga , meaning “stand firm”), and Isaac S. Watie, was a leader of the Cherokee Nation and a brigadier general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
, were intending to ambush them with about 1,600 to 1,800 men. Watie was waiting for approximately 1,500 reinforcements led by Brig. Gen.
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
William L. Cabell to attack. However, due to high water on the Grand River, Cabell was unable to make it to the Cabin Creek crossing in time. Williams eventually forced the Confederates to retreat with a series of two cavalry charges and an artillery barrage. The wagon train eventually made it to Fort Gibson and delivered the supplies.