The Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Indian Territory and judicial districts

Regarding the references to Cha-la-ki and Tash-co-homma from OR Vol 41, Series 4 [Serial #86] p1086-1090:

    By act of Congress approved February 15, 1862, the Indian country was divided into two judicial districts, called the districts of Cha-la-ki and Tash-co-homma, and courts for each of them established. These courts have never been organized. This is a misfortune just at this time, owing to the disturbed condition of the country, &c., and although it is a matter that belongs to the Department of Justice, I would respectfully suggest that measures ought to be immediately taken to correct it.

It appears to me that "Cha-la-ki" is the same as "Tsa-la-gi" which is the origin of the name "Cherokee". I assume, therefore, that in Feb. 1862 -- when the Cherokee Nation was firmly in Southern control -- that the Cha-la-ki judicial district was probably the northern Indian Territory (Cherokee and Muscogee Nations). I would like to see the text of the Act of Congress.

"Tash-co-homma" it would appear is "Tuskahoma". This is a Choctaw word meaning something like "Red Warrior" (Tushka=Warrior and Homma=Red). Wasn't Boggy Depot the site of the courthouse for the Tuskahoma District?

Regarding:

    Chatatumaha, political district where Camp Napoleon, Pontotoc Co, Chickasaw Nation (now Grady Co OK) was located (per ORv48/2 [S#102]p1018), a Cherokee name, A-427, A-446

I think this is an error by Maj Gen J.J. Reynolds, who wrote the report. "Chata Tamaha" is not Camp Napoleon. Chata Tumaha is Armstrong Academy and was designated at the Choctaw Capital from 1863-1885 when it was moved to Tuskahomma. It is a Choctaw word meaning "Choctaw City". I believe Reynolds heard both names and thought it was one event instead of two.

The meeting at Camp Napoleon was on May 24-26, 1865 and the Chata Tamaha meeting was on June 15, 1865. The Camp Napoleon meeting was to ally with the Plains Tribes to fight against the North but turned into more of a peace treaty between the tribes while they tried to find out what was happening in the East (i.e., rumors of the fall of the Confederacy). The subsequent meeting at Chata Tamaha (Armstrong Academy) was to cease hostilities and began negotiation with US authorities.

I believe that "Cleata Yamaha" is a mistranscription (or misspelling, or both) of "Chata Tamaha".


    Resolutions of the grand council, passed at Cleata Yamaha, Choctaw Nation, June 15, 1865. [OR v48, part 2, p.1103]
    ***

    Compact made and entered into between the Confederate Indian tribes and the Prairie tribes of Indians, made at Camp Napoleon, on Washita River, May 26, 1865. [OR v48, part 2, p.1102]
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    They also kindly furnished me with a copy of a treaty entered into between the Cherokees, Choctaws, Muscogees, Seminoles, Chickasaws, Reserve Caddos, Osages, Comanches, and the Indians of the plains, at Camp Napoleon, on Washita River, on the 26th of May, 1865. [OR v48, part 2, p.1096]
    ***

    EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, CHOCTAW NATION,
    June 18, A. D. 1865.
    Whereas commissioners duly accredited by the U. S. military authorities were sent to the grand council of all the tribes of Indians lately convened at Armstrong Academy with authority to treat on the subject of peace between the Indian tribes and the United States Government; and... [OR v48, part 2, p.1105]
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    The grand council confederated Indian nations has been called in accordance with [the] terms of their league to meet on the 10th of June next at Armstrong Academy, Choctaw Nation, to receive reports from the Delegates [of the] Indians of the plains, and to take into consideration the condition [of the] Indian nations and determine their future course. [OR v48, part 2, p.1319]
    ***

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Indian Territory or Indian Nations?
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Indian Territory and judicial districts
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