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

Battle for the Bridge

Honey Springs Battlefield

— Interpretive Trail Four · Battle at the Bridge —

Battle for the Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield, 2020

1. Battle for the Bridge Marker

Inscription. The 6th Kansas Cavalry and 1st Indian Home Guard turned the Confederate's right flank. Federal artillery and infantry fire devastated the center units on the Texas Road. Confederate forces began a withdrawal toward the bridge. Some soldiers reorganized near the toll bridge in an attempt to halt advancing Federal troops. Eventually Federal pressure drove the Confederates from their positions along the creek. Demoralized, the Confederate Army began a rapid retreat with the Federal forces in pursuit. This trail leads to Confederate positions south of the bridge across Elk Creek.

Colonel Martin, who retired in good order across the creek when the line along the prairie near the battery gave way, was directed to hold the ford above the bridge; but seeing the whole right wing falling back from the bridge and below it, Colonel Martin was withdrawn and ordered to fall back to Honey Springs. Our forces were now in full retreat and the enemy pressing them closely.
Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, CSA

My command was ordered to the left in support of Hopkins' Battery, and then ordered to charge the enemy out of the
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timber. I advanced, under a destructive fire from the enemy, after hard fighting, gained a position in the timber, and finally drove them across the stream, on the left of the bridge...and desperately contesting every foot of ground.
Col. Stephen H. Wattles, 1st Indian Home Guard, USA

Erected 2020 by Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Honey Springs Battlefield series list.

Location. 35° 33.06′ N, 95° 28.523′ W. Marker is near Oktaha, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. It is on Honey Springs Battlefield Road 1.3 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.

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

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

2. Battle for the Bridge Marker

Weathered after nearly 4 years after installation.

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: How We Know What We Know · Archeological Surveys & Interviews (within shouting distance of this marker); Farming and Communities · along the Texas Road (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); How We Know What We Know (about 500 feet away); The Toll Bridge and Fords · Crossing Elk Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Defending the Bridge · and other Fighting along Elk Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southern Camps (approx. 0.2 miles away); How We Know What We Know · Official Reports (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oktaha.

Trail Four sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

3. Trail Four sign.

At Honey Springs Battlefield Visitors Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

4. At Honey Springs Battlefield Visitors Center

Located about 3 miles south of marker on Gertrude Avenue.

Honey Springs Battlefield directional sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

5. Honey Springs Battlefield directional sign.

Current photo of the badly weathered Battle for the Bridge Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

6. Current photo of the badly weathered Battle for the Bridge Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 12, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.