Information in the ORs regarding Quantrill in the Indian Territory is confined to late 1863 and early 1864.
After the attack on Baxter Springs, Oct 7, 1863, Quantrill moved south through the Cherokee Nation. On the 10th, He crossed the Arkansas about 18 miles above Ft Gibson where he killed a picket of 12 men of the 1st Indian Home Guard regiment (Muscogee/Creek). Continuing south through the Muscogee/Creek Nation, he arrived at Brig Gen D.H. Cooper's headquarters on the Canadian River in the Choctaw Nation on Oct. 12th and reported to Cooper that "we caught about 150 Federal Indians and negroes in the Nation gathering ponies. We brought none of them through."
Brig Gen Wm. Steele, commander of Confederate forces in the Indian Territory, reported on Oct 25th, "Quantrill is reported to have brought with him some 300 well-equipped men. I am anxious to see him, as I am confident that he is better posted as regards the enemy in Southwestern Missouri and Western Arkansas than any one else."
Quantrill was believed to have been with Col Stand Watie, 1st Cherokee Mtd Vols, and Col W.P.Adair's 2nd Cherokee Mtd Vols, during a Dec. 16th demonstration at Ft Gibson.
On Dec. 25, 1863, Quantrill and about 280 men were moving up the Grand River in the Cherokee Nation with Col. W.P. Adair's 2nd Cherokee Mtd Vols. On the 29th, Col. Wm A. Phillips, commanding the Union Indian Brigade at Ft Gibson, Cherokee Nation, reported that the Cherokee had broken up into small parties [they were escorting "Southern Cherokee" families south from behind Union lines] and "It is reported that part of Quantrill's men went back across the Arkansas River, and that part of them are on Cowskin Creek, near the Butler Hills, on the Missouri and Arkansas line."
On Feb. 5, 1864, during his expedition into the Muscogee/Creek, Seminole, and Chickasaw Nations, Phillips reported from his camp on the Canadian River "a well-mounted force of white rebels passed in here just ahead of us, going south. They had crossed Arkansas River 60 miles above Gibson. I expect some of Quantrill's men." On the 8th he writes "Quantrill reported to be at Bonham [TX]." In March, Quantrill is reported to be at Sherman TX with Todd, Gordon, and 100 men. Based on complaints of Confederate authorities, Quantrill was apparently in north Texas during January and February. McCulloch ordered Quantrill from Preston TX to Ft Washita on Feb. 15th to resist Phillip's expedition.
In early April, Cooper orders Quantrill, Watie, and Adair to move north. Adair reports from Hillabee on the Canadian that "Capt Gordon" is with him and that Quantrill is supposed to be in the vicinity but moved past him without contact. In late April, Phillips reports pursuing Quantrill west of Ft Gibson and that Quantrill split his force with most retreating south of the Arkansas but about 60 men moved up the Grand River and killed a messenger 10 miles north of Cabin Creek.
Col Phillips reported that April 20, 1864, a large scout crossed the Arkansas 25 miles above Ft Gibson, moving northeast, and killing several Muscogee/Creek citizens. "They were all white men but 2, well mounted and equipped. I believe it to be Quantrill". On the 24th, Col. Watie wrote to his wife, a refugee in Rusk, TX, saying “Quantrell crossed the Arkansas river near the Creek Agency [northwest edge of present Muskogee OK] and killed eight men (Creeks) one of them shot a little boy and killed him. Some of the Creeks who were along returned today and brought this news. I have always been opposed to killing women and children although our enemies have done it, yet I shall always protest against any acts of that kind. Two days ago a part of Quantrells men fired on the guard at Boggy [Depot, Choctaw Nation]. Killed one man and wounded another.”
Do the memoirs of Quantrill's men or other guerrilla cover their movements through the Indian Territory?
Ken