Rentiesville in McIntosh County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Armies Rest and Recuperate

Honey Springs Battlefield

— Interpretive Trail Five · Last Engagement —

The Armies Rest and Recuperate Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

1. The Armies Rest and Recuperate Marker

Inscription. Following their overnight 20-mile march from Fort Gibson and the day-long battle, the Federal soldiers were exhausted. The units camped on the battleground on both sides of Elk Creek. The next day part of the Federal Army marched back to Fort Gibson while some of the units rested a second day before returning. In the meantime, the Confederate units retreated 17 miles south to North Fork Town.

The enemy being completely routed and defeated, we were ordered to fall back to the Springs, rest the men, and cook supper. At 7 p.m. we were ordered to take position on the battle field, near the ford, on Elk Creek, and bivouac for the night.
Lt. Col. J. W. Bowles,
1st Kansas Colored Infantry, USA

The retreat of the forces under my command eastward instead of south completely deceived the enemy, and created... the impression that the re- enforcements from Fort Smith were close at hand, and that by a detour in rear of the mountain east of Honey Springs our forces might march upon Gibson.
Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, CSA

Erected 2019 by Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield.

Topics and series. This

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Honey Springs Battlefield series list.

Location. 35° 32.28′ N, 95° 28.836′ W. Marker is in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, in McIntosh County. It can be reached from Honey Springs Battlefield Road north of East 1020 Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rentiesville OK 74459, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1st Choctaw & Chickasaw Mounted Rifles (within shouting distance of this marker); Burying the Dead (within shouting

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

2. The Armies Rest and Recuperate Marker

distance of this marker); Treating the Wounded (within shouting distance of this marker); Private Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Frederick McIntosh (about 300 feet away); The Final Engagement (about 300 feet away); The Confederate Headquarters and Reserve Units (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battlefield Archaeology (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rentiesville.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

3. The Armies Rest and Recuperate Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.