MG Sterling Price’s Retreat Thru the Western Portion of Choctaw Nation in 1864
11-8-64
After safely crossing the Arkansas River and leaving the pursuing Federal Army of MG S. R. Curtis’ Army of the Border behind, MG Sterling Price’s Army of Missouri retreats southwest 10 miles during a rainy day and sets up Camp 65 about 3 miles north of Stigler, OK. Price heard a few parting salutes of federal cannon fire, ordered by MG Curtis, early that afternoon far behind from the north side of the Arkansas River. Perhaps both war parties were glad the chase was over. Now Price must survive Napoleon’s Long March home, 275 miles thru Boggy Depot and Bonham, Texas to Laynesport, Arkansas.
BG Stand Watie’s Indian Division was reportedly camped 17 miles north of Boggy Depot (Stringtown/Little Boggy/Sulphur Springs) (41-4-1036). As the Grand Council was now over at Armstrong Academy, Gen. Watie was probably headed back to his command, thereby relieving BG Douglas H. Cooper, commander of the Indian Division. Cooper had been keeping the Indian Division under control while their inspirational leader (Watie) was gone south. Cooper got a letter at Little Boggy/Sulphur Springs from Maxey at Ft. Washita of 6th that Cooper responds to and mails back, dealing with MG Magruder’s, commander of Arkansas, plan of November 1 to attack Ft. Smith if Maxey will (and can) cooperate. At the end of the dispatch, Cooper first notes to Maxey that Price has been seriously defeated near Ft. Scott, Kansas and is probably retreating.
11-9-64
MG Sterling Price’s Army of Missouri has retreated southwest 10 miles during a second rainy day and set up Camp 66 about 5 miles north of Kinta, OK.
Maxey reads first dispatch waiting for him from Cooper when he arrives at Boggy Depot and writes response to E. K. Smith/Boggs. (41-4-1036). Maxey gets second dispatch in morning mail (10 a.m.) and says to Boggs that Magruder’s plan is not feasible, due to lack of time and forage. Maxey plans on leaving Boggy Depot in afternoon (41-4-1037). BG Cooper sends copies of captured Federal dispatches (41-4-1040) to Ft. Towson where he soon expects Maxey to be. Maxey doesn’t get them for several days, and then he is 70 miles away at Ft. Towson.
11-10-64
MG Sterling Price’s Army of Missouri has retreated southwest 12 miles today and set up Camp 67 near Quinton, OK. Price writes Maxey at Ft. Towson (Doaksville) that he is 20 miles northeast of Perryville, and is retreating thru Indian Territory via Perryville and Boggy Depot (41-4-1063). {Price was actually about 30 miles northeast of Perryville near Quinton, OK}. Price orders remaining troops of MG Jeff Fagan’s Arkansas Division (brigades of BG W. L. Cabell and Col. W. F. Slemons) to depart for Arkansas and report to Price there in mid December (as prior commands had been so ordered at Cane Hill, AR. MG Maxey will note that many squads of these troops have passed thru Doaksville /Ft. Towson by November 18. Maxey further notes on 11-18 that this dispatch is his first notification directly from Price regarding his entry into Indian Territory (41-4-1063).
11-11-64
MG Sterling Price’s Army of Missouri has retreated southwest 14 miles today and set up Camp 68 near Blocker, OK (15 miles northeast of McAlester).
Col. Tyler’s brigade of 4,000 mostly unarmed recruits along with Col. Wood’s battalion of Missouri cavalry were ordered to move ahead of the main body (along the eastern flank) and find extra food and forage.
MG S. B. Maxey arrives back in his District Headquarters at Ft. Towson on the morning of 11-11-64. He writes a letter to MG Magruder in Arkansas saying new plan is needed.
11-12-64
MG Sterling Price’s Army of Missouri marched only 2 miles today onto the valley of Gaines Creek (good grazing lands found by Woods) and set up Camp 69 on the west side of Gaines Creek just southeast of Bugtussle, OK (the home of the late and long time US Speaker of the House, Carl Albert).
Cooper (leaving Watie’s Camp near Stringtown) expects to go to Ft. Towson to visit Maxey (41-4-1039). Now neither Maxey nor Cooper is along Price’s route.