I am so glad to hear that you are writing about the battle at Poison Springs, AR. I hope and believe, that you may handle this notorious engagement with a little more even-handed and balanced view, than even some highly credentialed authors have, in the past. I am sure you know there was much history that preceded the so called "massacre" at Poison Springs, much of it in the Indian Territory. In fact, Tandy Walker's Choctaw Brigade, DeMorse's Texas Cavalry and the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry (79th USCT) were all units that had fought and experienced the "uncivil" warfare of the Indian Territory. Undoubtedly, some things occurred at Poison Springs that one must view with regret; however, when one fully examines the history of the units involved and events that occurred, not only before, but after the battle, i.e., Jenkins Ferry, plenty of blame and responsibility can be found on both sides for the events of April 18, 1864.

I hope "cousin" Ken Martin will participate in this thread, as he is very familiar with the atmosphere and events in the Indian and Choctaw Territory, especially, prior to Steele's Camden Expedition.

Jim Martin