Chapter 9 NotesCivil War & Reconstruction

“The Glory Years”Was the 15 years or so between

the Indian Removals and the Civil War

All the 5 Civilized Tribes EXCEPT the Seminoles adopted

constitutions. ( They never committed theirs to writing)

• Slavery in the Seminole Nation was noticeably different, as slaves were able to come and go as they pleased, earn money, and live virtually as freedmen

A generous Seminole slave “Gopher John” even loaned Lieutenant Canby $1,500 to buy supplies for hungry travelers

However, slave rebellion was still a common fear among slaveholders

Civil War AlliancesMost tribal agents were loyal to the Confederate states…because

they believed the U.S. Gov’t had abandoned the people of Indian Territory (The Union was seen to be sided with the Gov’t)

They only state bordering Oklahoma, that remained loyal to the Union, was Kansas.

Confederates were interested in Ind. Territory as a source of supplies (Grain, meat, and salt mines)

Cherokees Divide over Alliances

Chief John Ross was a leader that favored neutrality for

Indian Territory…sent letters to all tribes advising to stay

neutralStand Watie, an old enemy from

removal days, formed the “Stand Watie’s Cherokee

Mounted Rifles”…which he recruited members for the

ConfederacyJohn Ross became the last chief

of the 5 Tribes to sign an alliance w/ the South

Alliances con’t…Choctaws were almost in total agreement w/south. . . Signed a treaty w/ Confederate agent Albert Pike on July 12, 1861 (along w/Chickasaws)

Creeks signed on July 10, 1861Seminoles signed Aug 1, 1861

Finally Western Indians signed the Alliance treaty on Aug 12, 1861Cherokees “voted” to ally and Ross signed the treaty on Oct 7, 1861!!

**Creeks met internally, and drafted letter to the Union…declared their neutrality and asked for Union protection that was promised in all their

treaties**

Battle of Round Mountain

Nov 19, 18611st battle that took place on Indian Territory

Between the Creeks (led by Opothleyahola) and the Confederates

Creeks found a new hiding place in “Tulsey Town” aka Tulsa

Battle of Honey Springs

July 17, 1863Most important battle in Ind.

Territory (present day Muskogee)

Like Gettysburg, this was the turning point of the war in the East…and the turning point of

the war in Ind. TerritoryFort Gibson was recaptured by

the Union

End of War in Indian Territory

July 12, 1862, the Union army surrounded Tahlequah capturing John Ross. . . Who was sent to settle in Philadelphia

Stand Watie was awarded rank of Brigadier General in the Confederate Army (only Indian to attain such a rank)

Official end of the Civil War was April 9, 1865….Watie was the last to surrender anywhere, and gave up finally on June 23,

1865!!

ReconstructionThe Choctaws were the only tribe to stay true to the South

They admitted to signing treaties siding with the South. . .claiming that as a “separate nation” they had the right to take any steps for

their survivalIndian Territory map was completely reconstructed

Reconstruction Treaties were signed in Washington in Jan 1866 with leaders of the 5 Civilized Tribes

• Severity of the treaties varied on the bargaining power held by the individual tribes

Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were forced to make citizens of their own slaves

Choctaws and Chickasaws were given the option of adopting blacks or having them removed

The Treaties did allow for the Ind. Territories to re-establish themselves under their own gov’t

Congress then awarded franchises to railroads, along with public grants of land ( Ind. Territory was not protected, like they thought they were promised)