Durant in Bryan County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
General Douglas Hancock Cooper
Photographed by Michael Manning, August 25, 2011
1. General Douglas Hancock Cooper Marker
"Kind and sympathetic by nature, generous to a fault, he was an honest man of noble impulses, and born and bred a gentleman." These were the words of a contemporary of General Douglas Hancock Cooper, C.S.A.
Cooper was appointed U.S. Agent to the Choctaws, 1853, and to the Chickasaws, 1856. Under his supervision the agencies were consolidated and office was located at Fort Washita.
With the outbreak of War Between the States, Cooper was designated by his friend, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, to be Choctaw-Chickasaw Agent, C.S.A.
In June, 1861, he was appointed Commander of Choctaw-Chickasaw Mounted Riflemen, C.S.A., and saw action in many hard battles. Recognition of his military ability led to his being promoted Commander of Indian Territory Military District, C.S.A.
In 1865, he was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for District of Indian Territory, Trans-Mississippi, C.S.A.
General Cooper was born in Mississippi, November 1, 1815, and died at Fort Washita, Chickasaw Nation, April 29, 1879.
He lies buried on these grounds in an unmarked and unknown grave.
Erected 1966 by Oklahoma Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 34° 6.192′ N, 96° 32.792′ W. Marker is in Durant, Oklahoma, in Bryan County. It can be reached from State Highway 199 3½ miles west of State Highway 78, on the right when traveling west. Located on the grounds of the Fort Washita State Historic Site near the Douglas Cooper Cabin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3348 Hwy 199, Durant OK 74701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw 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 New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chickasaw Trail of Tears (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Washita (about 700 feet away); Colbert Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chickasaw White House (approx. 7.2 miles away); Fort McCulloch (approx. 8.1 miles away); Nail's Crossing (approx. 9.1 miles away); Site of Fisher's Station (approx. 9.7 miles away); Durant (approx. 11.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durant.
Also see . . .
1. Douglas H. Cooper
via Wikipedia, unknown
2. Douglas H. Cooper
2. Fort Washita. Oklahoma History Center website entry (Submitted on October 13, 2014.)
Photographed by Michael Manning, August 25, 2011
3. Marker with Douglas Cooper Cabin
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,115 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. 2. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Michael Manning of Woodlawn, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
