Near Oktaha in Muskogee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles

Honey Springs Battlefield

— Interpretive Trail Three · Confederate Line —

1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

1. 1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles Marker

Inscription. In 1861 there were two Confederate Cherokee regiments: the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles under the command of Col. John Drew and the 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles commanded by Col. Stand Watie. Confederate authorities promised both regiments they would not have to fight outside Indian Territory, but in March 1862 Gen. Albert Pike led both regiments at the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas. Following that Federal victory the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles disbanded, with many of its men embracing the Union and joining the Indian Home Guard.

Following this the 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles was redesignated as the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles under command of Col. Stand Watie. The men of the regiment fought at Cowskin Prairie, Locust Grove, Bayou Menard, Old Fort Wayne, Webbers Falls, Hudson's Ford, and Cabin Creek.

The 1st Cherokee Partisan Rangers was organized in September 1862 and reorganized in 1863 under Col. William Penn Adair as the 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles. The regiment had several skirmishes before the Battle of Honey Springs, including Tahlequah, Park Hill, Spavinaw Creek, Locust Grove, and Cabin Creek.

[Captions:]
Left: Col. William Penn Adair,
2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles, CSA

Right: Lt. Col. James Madison Bell,
2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles, CSA

Erected

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2019 by Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Honey Springs Battlefield series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.

Location. 35° 33.429′ N, 95° 28.325′ W. Marker is near Oktaha, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. Marker can be reached from Honey Springs Battlefield Road, 1.8 miles north of East 1020 Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oktaha OK 74450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Confederate Right (here, next to this marker); Breaking the Line, Hand-to-Hand Combat (within shouting distance of this marker); 29th Texas Cavalry & 20th Texas Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Texas Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1st and 2nd Regiments of Creek Mounted Volunteers (about 400 feet away); 5th Texas Partisan Rangers and Lee's Light Battery (about 400 feet away); Primitive Trail to Elk Creek Overlook (about 500 feet away); The Confederate Center (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oktaha.

1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles Marker on right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

2. 1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles Marker on right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.