I'm very interested in the letter regarding Camp Wells, Cherokee Nation. What little I've found online re the 1st Ark MR vaguely mentions they were in the Indian Territory in Sept-Oct 1861 to deal with "Union sympathizing Cherokee soldiers". As there were no Union Cherokee "soldiers" during this time period, I'm interested in the basis for this comment.

McCulloch and many in northwestern Arkansas were concerned about the Keetoowah Society, a Cherokee secret society commonly known as the "Pins" from which the term "Pin Indian" originates. This group was politically (and violently) opposed to the so-called Southern Cherokee led by Stand Watie. I assume the reference to "Union sympathizing Cherokee soldiers" is referring to the Pins though they were not "soldiers" (yet). In October 1861, the Cherokee signed the treaty with the Confederacy and raised the 1st Cherokee Mtd Rifles (Drew's Regiment) which was composed almost entirely of Pins. Watie's battalion (raised on McCulloch's authority) was increased to a regiment so the Cherokee had two Confederate regiments that were violently opposed to one another and had to be kept separated in the field. Drew's Regiment defected to the Union in July 1862 and essentially became the 3rd Indian Home Guard, commonly known as the Pin Regiment.

But I digress...

Can anyone point me to information on the movements and purposes of the 1st Arkansas Mtd Rifles in the Cherokee Nation in 1861?

Anthony: Can you share the letter that refers to Camp Wells?

Thanks.
Ken