Near Oktaha in Muskogee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
The Battle Begins
Honey Springs Battlefield
Interpretive Trail Two · Federal Artillery Line
Courtesy of Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield, 2020
1. The Battle Begins Trailhead Marker
Inscription.
The Battle Begins. Honey Springs Battlefield. After a brief rest, the Federal Army moved south toward the Confederate forces concealed in the timber north of Elk Creek. They formed a battle line about one mile wide centered on the Texas Road. Artillery opened the battle; 12 Federal guns dueled 4 Confederate guns for over an hour. The hot, humid day caused the smoke from the guns to hug the ground, obscuring the battle lines. The Federals advanced toward the woods to within 50 paces of the Confederate line before firing commenced. Flanking maneuvers and Federal fire power collapsed the Confederate right flank and then the center. With their line broken, the Confederates began a retreat south toward the Elk Creek Bridge. , At about 10 a.m., I formed them in two columns, one on the right of the road under Col. Judson, the other on the left under Col. Phillips.... I moved them forward in line of battle, throwing out skirmishers in advance and soon drew their fire, which revealed the location of their artillery. The cavalry... on the two flanks, was dismounted and fought on foot with their carbines. My men steadily advanced into the edge of the timber, and the fighting was unremitting and terrific for two hours. , Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt, USA
After a brief rest, the Federal Army moved south toward the Confederate
forces concealed in the timber north of Elk Creek. They formed a battle line
about one mile wide centered on the Texas Road. Artillery opened the battle;
12 Federal guns dueled 4 Confederate guns for over an hour. The hot,
humid day caused the smoke from the guns to hug the ground, obscuring
the battle lines. The Federals advanced toward the woods to within
50 paces of the Confederate line before firing commenced. Flanking
maneuvers and Federal fire power collapsed the Confederate right
flank and then the center. With their line broken, the Confederates
began a retreat south toward the Elk Creek Bridge.
At about 10 a.m., I formed them in two columns, one on the right of the
road under Col. Judson, the other on the left under Col. Phillips.... I
moved them forward in line of battle, throwing out skirmishers in advance
and soon drew their fire, which revealed the location of their artillery.
The cavalry... on the two flanks, was dismounted and fought on
foot with their carbines. My men steadily advanced into the
edge of the timber,
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and the fighting was unremitting and
terrific for two hours.
Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt, USA
Erected 2020 by Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield.
Topics and series. This 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° 33.774′ N, 95° 28.385′ W. Marker is near Oktaha, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. It is on Honey Springs Battlefield Road 2.3 miles 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 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.
Located about 3.8 miles south of marker on Gertrude Avenue.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024
4. Honey Springs Battlefield directional sign.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024
5. Badly weathered "The Battle Begins" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
