Interesting stories. Difficult to understand when they occurred. This was second or third hand info shared 60+ years later so it's not surprising it's a little mixed up. It is extremely unlikely that Henry Seabolt or his brothers-in-law were at the battle of Wilson Creek (Oak Hills) unless they were in an Arkansas State Troops unit. There was no Cherokee unit in which he could enlist in May 1861 other than perhaps a local homeguard unit in his district -- Sequoyah District (formerly named Skin Bayou District). Drew's 1st Cherokee Mtd Rifles was accepted into service in October. There is no record of him in Drew's Regiment though his brother-in-law, Pickens Benge was captain of Company A, from Sequoyah District. Brothers-in-law Robert and John "Riddle" Benge were in the 1st organization of Watie's Regiment, Alberty's Company ("J"). This company became part of the 2nd Cherokee Mtd Vols, Feb 1863, but no record of either in that unit. They instead also show up in the 3rd IHG, Company A, with Henry. Henry's index card for the 3rd IHG, organized in July 1862, states he enlisted and was discharged as a private. His uncle Robert, if Ancestry.com can be trusted (if often cannot), died in March 1864, at which time the 3rd IHG was at Ft Gibson. On March 31, 1864, Company A and five other companies of the 3rd IHG were ordered to Scullyville, Choctaw Nation, 18 miles west-southwest of Ft. Smith.

Fort Smith was in Confederate hands from April 1861 to Sept. 1, 1863. The 3rd IHG was not part of the Union force that occupied Ft Smith, the Confederates had abandoned it on their approach. Watie was not near Ft Smith at the time. The Confederates never 'captured' Ft Smith though their were two attempts in 1864.

Some unsupportable theories about the engagements mentioned. First, the story about the capture of the mules may have been at Bayou Menard Prairie, May 14, 1863, where Watie captured 200-300 mules. The story about the running battle from near Muldrow to near Hanson could have been a detachment of Watie's or Adair's Regiments. It is unlikely that the Confederate Cherokee had sabers. The Confederate Indians were mounted infantry, not cavalry, and rarely received any weapons at all. The Union 3rd IHG would have had bayonets, being generally well armed. The story of the pursuit of Watie across the Poteau to Scullyville may have been after the attacks on Ft Smith or following the capture of the J.R. Williams. The bridge burned may have been Iron Bridge on San Bois instead of a bridge on the Poteau. Company A, 3rd IHG, was stationed at Scullyville in April 1864 but was back at Ft Gibson by June 1864 though they may have been on 'unreported' scouts or escort duty between Forts Gibson and Smith.

Ken