Research Guide
The Civil War In Indian Territory
Scope: This guide is intended to help anyone interested in learning more about the role of IndianTerritory during the American Civil War. It is based upon items that are owned by the Metropolitan Library System. There are many resources available to help start the research process: books, periodicals, videos, vertical files and Internet sources. In between these two stages, you might use the library for help in acquiring specific skills, knowledge, and other qualifications for the career you choose. To aid in your search, log on to CyberMars with your library card to reserve any titles that interest you, or ask a librarian for assistance. To return to the Research Guide page, click here.
A. Introduction

The state of Oklahoma occupies a peculiar place in the history of the American Civil War. Not quite a state at the time of the conflict, Indian Territory was divided between Native American tribes loyal to both the Union and the Confederacy. Many Native Americans, upset that Union forces had abandoned all military posts in Indian Territory (a violation of previous treaty agreements), opted to side with the Confederacy in order to protect their homelands. The decision by many tribes to side with the Confederacy proved a devastating one, as all treaties made by the Five Civilized tribes prior to the conflict were deemed null and void as a punishment for hostility towards the Union. Indian Territory saw a number of military engagements and produced many noteworthy soldiers, including Stand Watie who was the last Confederate general to surrender to Union forces.
B. Subject Headings and Shelf Numbers   
  • Indians of North America --History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
  • Indian Territory--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
  • Watie, Stand, 1806-1871.
  • Oklahoma --History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
  • Browse Call Numbers 970.00497, 973.7 - 973.8
C. Frequently Mentioned Texts
  • Stand Watie and the Agony of the Cherokee Nation by Kenny Arthur Franks
  • The Civil War In Indian Territory by Steve Cottrell Rifles For Watie by Harold Keith Oklahoma : A History of Five Centuries by Arrell Morgan Gibson
  • The American Indian in the Civil War by Annie Eloise Abel
  • Now the Wolf Has Come by Christine Schultz White
  • The American Indian As Slaveholder And Secessionist by Annie Eloise Abel
  • Battle of Cabin Creek, September 18, 19, 1864, called 2nd Battle of Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory by Jess C. Epple
D. General References, e.g. Guides, Encyclopedia, or Dictionaries   
  • Between Two Fires: American Indians During The Civil War by Lawrence M. Hauptman
  • General Stand Watie's Confederate Indians by Frank Cunningham
  • Cherokee Cavaliers by Edward Everett Dale
  • Okla Hannali by R.A. Lafferty
  • Brilliant Victory: The Second Civil War Battle of Cabin Creek, Indian Territory, September 19 th , 1864 by Steven L. Warren
  • Battle of Cabin Creek, September 18, 19, 1864, called 2nd Battle of Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory by Jess C. Epple
E. Magazines or Newspapers

The Library System has a subscription to the EbscoHost database that you may use either from home or in the library to search for magazine articles about research papers. Use the following search terms:

    • Civil War in Indian Territory
    • Stand Watie
    • Cherokee Soldiers
    • Battle of Cabin Creek
F. Internet Resources
G. Other Media, e.g. Video, Audio
  • Last raid at Cabin Creek, 973.7/L349l/VIDEO/RECORDING - A documentary of the true story of the last Confederate offensive in Indian Territory-- a raid which would be the South's greatest victory in the Indian Nations.
  • The Story of Oklahoma : Civil War in Indian Territory, 976.603/ST887ci/VIDEO/RECORDING - Looks at the effects of the Civil War on the Indian tribes in Oklahoma .
  • Cherokee General, 970.00497/W333c/VIDEO/RECORDING - Looks at the life of Stand Watie, the only Native American Indian to attain the rank of Brigadier General, who fought for the Confederacy and was the last general to surrender to Union forces.
H. For Further Research
Prepared by G. Garloch
September 2005