THESE ARE ARCHIVED PAGES OF THE OLD EHISTORY SITE
These pages are not actively maintained and may have errors in content and functionality
eHistory Archive Logo
THESE ARE ARCHIVED PAGES OF THE OLD EHISTORY SITE
click here for the NEW eHistory site
These pages are not actively maintained and may have errors in content and functionality
 icon: the new eHistory
click to see our Origins feature click to see our Multimedia histories click to see our Book Reviews
Ancient History Middle Ages Civil War World War II Vietnam War Middle East World
      eHistory  >  American Civil War  >  Battles  >  Cabin Creek Search
Articles
Battles
Biographies
Books
Book Reviews
Civil War Daily
Essays & Papers
Glossary
HistoryLists
Images
Interactive
Letters & Diaries
Maps
Medicine
Newsletter
Official Records
Periodicals
Regimental Units
Timeline
Cabin Creek (1863)
 
War:   American Civil War
 
Date(s):   1 Jul 1863 - 3 Jul 1863
 
Location:   Mayes County, Oklahoma, Indian Territory
 
Outcome:   Union victory
 
Description:   Col. James M. Williams, USA
Col. Stand Watie, CSA

Williams had elements of nine units, while the Confederates had two full regiments and bits of two more.

Losses were light: about 25 Union and 65 Confederate.

Col. James Williams of the First Kansas Colored Infantry led a Union 300-wagon supply train from Fort Scott, Kansas, to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma (then Indian Territory). As he approached the crossing of Cabin Creek he learned of an intended Confederate ambush. Col. Stand Watie had 1,600 to 1,800 men and intended to bushwhack the wagons at the Creek.

Watie was waiting for further reinforcements (about 1,500 men) under Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell to join him before attacking the supply train. Cabell, however, was detained due to high water on Grand River and had difficulty pushing his reluctant conscripts hard.
Cabin Creek also had high water which initially prevented a crossing, but after it receded Williams drove the Confederates off with artillery fire and two cavalry charges. Three days of running skirmishes ensued, but the defensive screen was strong enough. The wagon train reached Fort Gibson, delivering supplies that allowed the Union forces to sustain their presence in the Indian Territory and take the offensive into Arkansas.


Content provided by:
eHistory Staff

Selected sources:
American Battlefield Protection Program, Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service.



About | Contact

All images and content are the property of eHistory at The Ohio State University unless otherwise stated.
Copyright © 2013 OSU Department of History. All rights reserved.
THESE ARE ARCHIVED PAGES OF THE OLD EHISTORY SITE
These pages are not actively maintained and may have errors in content and functionality