Regiment was camped at Tullahassee Mission, a Baptist mission in the Creek Nation on the west side of the Verdigris just a few miles from the mouth on Arkansas. On Nov. 30, 1861, they march 12 miles north and camp on the Verdigris. Dec. 1, they march another 10 miles and camp again on the Verdigris. Dec. 2, march 15 miles west and camp on the Verdigris.
December 2nd 1861 [diary]
Marched fifteen miles in a west direction—camped again on Verdigris—at a council of officers—determined to send Col [Sims] with 200 men to prevail on Cooper to let us return to [Fort] Gibson & go into winter quarters. With three days rations they started the next morning.
3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th December [1861] [diary]
This evening received orders from Col Cooper to move on with all our available men to his camp. Started trains back with the sick. Seventy five men balance of our Reg under Quayle moved on to his [Cooper’s] camp and found Sims just returned from a scout. Reports that he approached within two miles of Gouge’s camp. Took a prisoner before leaving our camp. Prepared eleven days rations & that with my blankets, pistol, sabre & saddle & myself weighs over 250 lbs.
December 7th 1861 [diary)
This morning with 250 men—[and] about 200 Creeks & some 350 Choctaws took up march to meet Col [John] Drew. Twenty five mile out found he had not come. Encamped in a bottom on bank of Verdigris River.
December 8th 1861 [diary]
Four miles from camp fell in with [Confederate] Creeks who had camped some distance to our left. Moved on some five or six miles— found Col Drew encamped on a small creek with 500 men. Got corn to feed our horses. The first since yesterday morning. Rested an hour or so & moved a mile higher up & encamped. This evening a messenger came from “Gouge” to Col Drew that he was willing to treat with him. Drew therefore sent Capt Dorn to his camp to negotiate a treaty but Gouge’s promise like all others he has made was only to deceive As soon as he had Don in his power he threatened to kill him if he did not join his army. Dorn agreed to join on condition he could get leave to return to Fort Gibson for his wife. This permission was given him & he immediately returned to our camp, stated the facts as above & in addition said Gouge intended to attack our camp just before day, tomorrow morning—that Gouge had 7 or 8,000 men—as soon as Drew returned to his camp one mile below ours & made the above statement his whole regiment with the exception of 30 or 40 men deserted his camp some going over to Gouge—others making for home & still others scattered pall mall over the country.
As soon as Cooper received news of this our forces were mounted & formed on the edge of the prairie in front of our camp where we remained on our arms—horses saddled—--all night without sleeping. Every fourth man holding the reins—remainder formed in front. After we were formed Col Quayle with two companies proceeded to Drew’s camp—found him with only 10 or 12 men—collected a few more in the bushes—brought away all the wagons but left the tents & other baggage. The night however passed without any attack being made. What a contrast in this same day, night & year previous to this.
Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation
Dec 16th 1861
My Dear Ma;
Since writing to you from Concartha [Concharta] on Ark river we have taken another scout of some twelve or fifteen days. But this has not been so severe on us as the other. the weather has been unusually favorable for the season, and we have plenty to eat for ourselves—our horses have fared tolerably well. As you will probably hear all that we have been doing I will try to give you a little history of our rambling through this wild county.
After returning from our first expedition we moved from Concartha 25 miles east to the Talahassy Mission. This mission is a large brick building erected by the Baptists for a seminary. There is no school here now however but [it] has been used since we first moved to that vicinity as a hospital. After remaining at the mission two days we were ordered by Cooper to meet him 60 miles north west of there. The next morning with all the men who were able to do duty we started taking most of the wagons with us. On the second day so many of our men were sick that it seemed like folly to go farther. Col Sims therefore with 200 men
Cooper’s camp to get permission to return to winter quarters. He failed in this and on the evening of the 7th, we received a dispatch ordering us to send the trains and sick back to the mission and move on with the balance of our forces with ten days rations.
Immediately after supper we commenced our preparations moulding bullets, baking bread, roasting & grinding coffee, &c &c. If you had seen the pile of bread we had baked by midnight, you might have thought we were preparing a month’s instead of ten days rations. By 2 oclk we had everything in readiness. After finishing I wrote you and several others letters but doubt whether you have received them or not. Next morning (8th) we moved on to Cooper’s camp and found Col Sims just returned from a scout of two days. With 200 men he approached within two miles of the enemy’s camp.
But I expect you know very little of the enemy we have been fighting so I will tell you. Optheohola—the leader of the Indians we have been fighting, is an old Creek chief said to be a man of fine talent, some 80 or 90 years old—and on account of his age and sagacity possesses almost perfect sway over his followers. He is also the leader of what is here called the pin party. Why called the pin party I cant say. It is composed chiefly of full blood Indians of every Nation and tribe with the exception of the Choctaws and Chickasaws and the members have taken a secret oath or obligation never to fight against each other. Most of the half breed and many of the full bloods belong to a party opposed to this and Col Chilly McIntosh is their leader.
Before the Indians were removed from Georgia Old Optheohola opposed the treaty by which their lands were sold to the U.S. Col McIntosh’s father was its principal supporter and after they were removed to this country he was murdered—and it is generally believed by the McIntosh party that Optheohola had it done. On this account and others a bitter feud sprang up between the two parties and had existed ever since. The Mclntoshes have control over the [Federal] annuities [to the tribe] and have been accused by Opthehola’s party of swindling them out of a large amount of it annually.
Both McIntosh and Optheohola are Creeks. The former claims to be and is I suppose a Southern man. The latter is said to be an abolitionist but I think that if he had not been driven by circumstances to take sides with the north he would not have done so. But it seems he has done so and those who sympathize with the north are with him whilst those who are friendly to the South are with McIntosh. Many however have not taken part on either side and I expect that many who are now with us wilt be so no longer than it is to their interest to be so. I have but little confidence in any of them and although old John Ross, the Governor of the Cherokee claims to be a true southern man and is generally represented as such in Texas—still I believe he is a traitor at heart and only wants a favorable opportunity to show himself such.
But it is impossible for me to give you a true statement of affairs here as I am not sufficiently posted myself-so I will go back to my narrative. On the 7th about noon we took up a line of march in the direction of the enemy’s camp & marched 10 miles where we were to have been met by Col Drews Reg of Cherokees—we found however that he was not there. On 8th again moved and at noon came up with Drew’s Reg—encamped within 4 or 5 miles of the enemy with 500 men. Our suspicions were aroused by Drews failing to meet us at the appointed place and circumstances proved that they were not without foundation.
We moved a mile higher up the creek and took up our camp. Our entire force was about 450 Choctaws, 400 Creek, 250 of our Reg. and some 500 men under Drew. A Report came into camp that old Optheohola proposed to make a treaty with Col. Drew. Drew sent one of his captains (Van) to Optheohola’s camp to negotiate a treaty. about sundown Capt. Van returned to Drew’s camp and reported that Optheohola refused to treat and threatened to kill him if he did not join him. Van says he agreed to do this on condition that he be permitted to remrn for his wife. Van also reported that Optheohola intended attacking us that night and that he had from 7,000 to 10,000 warriors—all armed with rifles, six shooters and hatchets. Van immediately left the camp ‘with his entire company and told those who remained that they had better get away from there as they would be attacked by jay hawkers that night and that we would be attacked by Optheohoia—and in less than 20 minutes Drew’s entire Reg were scattered in every direction most of them going over to Optheohola the balance flying for their home.
As soon as news reached us that Drew’s entire Reg. had deserted him we immediately saddled, mounted our horses and moved out into the edge of the prairie, dismounted — formed in line every fourth man holding horses. The Choctaws and Creeks were on our left. In this position we remained until 7 oclk the next morning [December 9] expecting every moment that an attack would be made— but every man determined not to yield an inch of ground. The night however passed off without any attack being made, and you may be sure that daylight was never more heartily welcomed than by us on that morning. A part of our Reg was sent over to protect Drew’s wagons and bring them into our camp. As they had to be taken across a very bad creek we did not get them all in untill 2 oclk in the morning. After the return of the scouting parties that had been sent out at daylight—no signs of the enemy being seen we returned to our camp and prepared our breakfasts.
As Col Cooper thought our force too small since the desertion of the Cherokees to contend against Optheohola we commenced moving back in the direction of our trains. The enemy supposing that we
would cross Bird Creek (on which the battle was fought) at the same place we crossed going up moved down on the opposite side and took a position on each side of the ford in the brush. Finding however that we would not cross there they made an attack on our Rear Guard from the tight. Col Cooper immediately gave the order to “right about” and we moved on to meet them. The Creeks entered the timber and commenced the attack on the enemy right wing. Our Company and two others with them and on their right. After about an hour and a half fighting during which time an incessant firing was kept up by both sides the enemy was completely routed here.
The fight being over here our companies moved up the creek to the assistance of the Choctaws who with the balance of our regiment were engaged in a hot contest with the left wing of the enemy The Creeks soon followed us. In the beginning of the fight here the enemy had possession of a house in the edge of the timber and around this the fight raged with the greatest fury. Twice we drove them from it and were each time compelled to retire ourselves. The third time however we succeeded in holding it. The left wing of the
enemy with the exception of those in the house fell back and took a position under a creek bank. They were [in]accessible from there [their] rear and each flank being in a bend of the creek—and our only chance of approaching them was through the prairie— being exposed to their fire for about 300 yards and untill we approached to within 50 steps of their line. There we succeeded in getting possession of a little ravine running nearly parallel with the creek bank—and we were in a measure sheltered from their fire,
After nearly an hour fighting here we were ordered by the Col to return to our horses. It was with some reluctance that we obeyed this command for if we had remained half an hour longer we would have driven the enemy away from the mouth of the ravine in which we were and once in possession of that we would have had but a little difficulty in routing them. As it was, we were forced to leave the enemy in possession of part of the field and though others think differently I cant call our victory complete. As soon as our Reg was mounted Cooper called off his force and we moved on down the creek to where we had left our wagons. This was Just as the sun was setting.
If we had had one more hour of daylight we would have routed them completely. But in the commencement of the fight we had left our wagons a mile and a half below with a very small guard and as
they were in danger of being cut off, we were compelled to draw off and get to them before dark. Our dead and wounded were placed on hacks and wagons and conveyed to our place of camping 2 miles below. As none of us had slept the night before and few the night before that, I lay down as soon as we reached our camping ground waiting only to get a drink of water—and slept as soundly—and felt as secure as I would have done at home.
The next morning Col Cooper with a part of his command returned to the battlefield to see if any of our men had been left on the ground. Only one was found. The enemy had fled to parts unknown. Our entire loss was ten killed and about twenty wounded—one of our Company slightly wounded. The loss of the enemy, according to the best information we can get, must be near three hundred killed and wounded. It is impossible though for us to judge with any degree of certainty. We know however that 38 or 40 Cherokees were found dead on the field the next morning and that about one fourth or one fifth of the enemy force is composed of Cherokees. Most of the remainder are Creeks and supposing their loss to be in the same proportion, the entire loss of the enemy cannot be far short of 150 killed and the usual proportion of wounded. The Creeks invariably remove their dead from the field as soon as killed. It is a part of their religion never to permit one of their dead to fall into the hands of the enemy—consequently not one was found on the field the next morning.
The following pages of this letter were included with the pages above. This portion appears to be part of a different letter, perhaps enclosed with the one above.
You would not have known that we had slept as soundly and securely during the past night, as we ever did at home. As GenI Cooper thought our force now too small to engage the enemy with any chance of success, we this morning (9th) [December 9j commenced falling back to await reinforcements. As our course lay near the foot of a range of hills on our right all our movements could be seen by Optheohola and he himself remained concealed. Observing our course, he sent his forces down on the opposite side of Bird Creek immediately on our right to attack us while crossing as there was but two crossings in that vicinity and they were both near each other. (We have since learned this from prisoners)—finding however that it was not our intention to cross here after all but our rear guard had passed them they made an attack on this at a distance of 500 yards killing one man.
Gen Cooper immediately gave the order to “right about” and meet them. As soon as they made the attack on our Rear Guard which I think was merely a feint to draw us into the fight—they retreated and took position in the brush—and under the creek bank. One half of our Regiment in which was our company—acted with our Creek allies against the right wing of the enemy—the balance of our Regiment with the Choctaws against their left. Their line was not less than a mile and a half in length. Their main force was on each wing. The battle was commenced on our left by occasional shots from both parties—like warning drops of rain before a shower. As we drew nearer the shots became more frequent and by the time we had dismounted and gotten fairly into the fight one volley followed another in such quick succession that one continuous roar was kept up. This continued for about forty minutes when the enemy retreated back into the bed of the creek— and the firing nearly ceased for a short time.
Soon however they made their appearance higher up the stream, when the four Texas companies present made a charge on them and routed them completely. Finding we had driven the enemy completely from our part of the field we mounted our horses and galloped to the assistance of our friends above. We found them engaged in a contest more fierce if possible than ours had been. The enemy had every possible advantage they could wish—our only way of approaching them being through the prairie—where we were exposed to a heavy fire untill we succeeded in driving them from a ravine running nearly parallel with the creek bank under which they had taken their position. Here we were in some degree sheltered from the heaviest of their fire.
For an hour or more the fighting continued here without any abatement. As the sun was now down we were ordered to fall back to our horses. Col Cooper soon drew off his men and we proceeded down the creek some three miles to our place of camping. After we had retire[d] some distance the enemy [missing page(s)]
This is my first fight. Our other battle [at Round Mountains] our company was not engaged in. I have always been under the impression that I would be willing for the fight if I should get into one to cease at any moment. But that was not my experience this time. After the first excitement was over—the first few rounds fired—I ceased to have any apprehension whatever of danger. I have often heard men who had been in battles speak of how the bullets whized over and around them but I thought the sound of the bullets was mostly in their imaginations. I have learned however from experience that they were correct. We could even tell by the peculiar whizing noise of the balls whether they were discharged from a minnie or an ordinary rifle. An arrow produces a sound something like a bird flying swiftly through the air.
After all that has been said of battles—the danger &c incured by those engaged in them, in my estimation the danger is not near so great as those who have never been in one suppose. It is true that our experience has been rather limited, but in four fifths of the battles fought those engaged in them incur less risk than we have done. We were engaged about three hours and during that time had ten men kilied. Estimating the number of enemy at 1,500 (which is a low estimate) and the number of shots fired by each at ten, we find that 15,000 shots were fired at us. As our killed and wounded amounted to only thirty you see that only one shot out of 500 had any effect. This may seem like unusually bad shooting, but it is as true of other batties as this.
You see therefore that it only a random shot that kills and we are in much less danger in battie than you may have thought. I apprehend more danger from sickness than from any other cause. I have been taking as good care of myself as possible under the circumstances and intend doing so in future. It is tue we have had—and still have a great deal of sickness in the Regiment, but most of it has been brought on by negligence on the part of the men.
So far we have had as fine weather generally as we could desire, tolerably cold but dry, and I think if it continues so for ten or fifteen days we will be in winter quarters by that time. Our winter quarters have been assigned to us at the mouth of Frog Bayou on Arkansas river in Ark. I have found the service so far tolerably hard, though not as hard as I expected before entering it. So I have been disappointed, but wry agreeably. We sometimes have the “blues” but this cant last long — as amongst so many there is always some fun on hand. Besides we have so much else to engage our attentions we have but little time to give to desponding thoughts. If I could hear from home and know that you were all well, I believe I would be contented, or at least as nearly as I could be away from home.
Hereafter we can get letters from you at almost any time if directed to Ft Smith. When you write give me all the news. We have not heard a word from home since leaving Texas. I want you to write as often as every ten days and oftener if you can. I have not written as often as I wished to do from the fact that we have had but few opportunities of sending letters.
From the fact that few of the company supplied themselves with paper my supply is almost exausted as you will find by the way this is written. If you can get them you must send us some late papers. I have not read half a dozen papers since leaving Texas. We are almost entirely isolated from the rest of the world in the way of news.
If there is a prospect of my corn bringing a good price in the Spring I want it sold. Not however for less than 50 cents a bu. My oats I want sold anyway. I suppose I have 75 bushels or more of shelled oats. As Will agreed to let me have these, he taking the [illegible word] oats. If these were placed in the stores there I think they might be sold and pay off some little debts I have there. I don’t know when we will draw any pay— but think it will be around Christmas or probably sometime after. Tell Will to write to me. He has more time and better opportunities of writing than I have— and must not wait for me to write first. My best wishes to all my friends—particularly your neighbors on the Clarksville street.
May kind providence guard and protect you all.
J.C. Bates
December 9th 1861 [diary]
This morning after the return of scouting parties—no enemy being seen—we prepared breakfast. At 11 oclk took up march in direction of trains. After Cherokees went over to Gouge our force too small to attack him. Moved on four or five miles. Some of enemy discovered— trains halted. Head of column ordered right about— formed in column of companies — Creeks on left— Choctaws on right. Enemy’s position on edge of bottom on prairie. Creeks on left dismounted—began attack—a part of our Reg with them. After about an hour’s fighting they [Federal Creeks] were driven across the creek. This terminated the fight here.
Moved up creek to assistance of right wing, found a constant & heavy firing going on one half mile up & down creek. Dismounted & moved on to the attack. As enemy were hid in brush & behind bank of creek we were very much exposed to their fire. Took our position in a little steam running into the creek. Wherever an Indian head was seen a battle was instantly in or very near same place. Balls whistled over & around us so constantly it made one continuous whiz. After the first half dozen passed over me I ceased to dodge & finally to think anything of them.
After firing from the ravine from 30 or 40 minutes ordered back to our horses, while moving back to them were exposed for 2 or 300 yards to heavy fire but fortunately few were wounded & none killed here, After mounting & forming I saw a wounded man trying to make his escape from the ravine. He was shot in the side & just able to walk. I asked & got permission to go to his assistance. Started in a gallop & called some one else to follow me. Met him about 150 yards from enemy, as soon as I dismounted he sank down on the ground. the bullets came whistling around us as thick as hail. As we were a good target to get shot at—I expected every moment that one of us would be shot down. Two others soon came & we picked him up & carried him amidst a perfect shower of bullets, some passing very near our heads—others striking the ground at our feet— up the hill to our lines.
Gen Cooper thought it advisable to call our men off & get to the trains before night. The bugle was blown & men ordered to mount. With wounded at head of column moved three miles down creek to camp —about 10 oclk got into camp.
December 10th 1861 [diary]
On last night thought an attack was apprehended. I slept as soundly as if I had been at home, two hundred of our Reg were sent on with the wounded to guard wagons & balance of army went back to the battle ground. According to opinion of those who went over the ground about 150 of the enemy were killed. Thirty six Cherokee were found on the ground. As the proportion of the cherokee were supposed to be about one fifth the above estimate must be nearly correct. The Creeks took all their dead from the ground.
From prisoners taken we learned that Gouge contemplated an attack on us Sunday night [December 8] & actually moved his force within a mile of our camp but as it is supposed that he found out by some means that we were in readiness to meet him he abandoned the idea. Also learned that he supposed we would cross Bird Creek at the point the battle was fought & intended attacking us while crossing but as we passed on by the ford he concluded to have a fight anyway—so he began firing on our Rear Guard. If we had attempted to cross here he would have had us almost surrounded & we must inevitably [have] been cut up if we crossed here. After going over the battle ground to ascertain if any dead or wounded were left, main force joined us four miles down creek at camp.
December 11th 1861 [diary]
Started wagons with wounded ahead in a S.E. direction—main force moving on S —twenty two mile to Tulsey Town [Tulsa) where we fed our horses. No sign of Gouge seen—Ark[ansas] river fifteen miles east where we found wagons & advance guard. Got in at camp at 4 oclk. Made me a cup of coffee & went to sleep.
December 12th 1861 [diary]
Leaving Col Cooper’s command to follow on[,] our Reg moved on to trains twenty five miles distant. Found on our arrival that five of our Reg had died since leaving camp & some others not expected to live—so thus far nine have died in camp & six have been killed in the field of battle. Found our trains two miles from [Tullahassee] Mission on Ark river two miles from creek [illegible word]
December 13th 1861 [diary]
At 9 oclk last night adjutant came round & said was ordered by Col that all who were able to ride prepare two days ration by morning. Next morning with 400 men, started in direction of [Fort] Gibson leaving train at Mission. Halted by Col [Sims] who condescended to tell us that we were going down to Gibson for the purpose of getting permission to quarter our sick there. Why all the Reg should be called on to do what one man could as easily perform is a mystery. If ever a Reg was cursed with a bigoted self conceited for Col ours is the one. After arriving at Gibson Col ordered fifty men to return for trains. Why did’nt he leave them with the wagons is asked by everyone but answered by none. Oh, deliver me from another such fool as this.