Today in Chickamauga History - September 16
1800, September 16: Power of attorney of William Dugan, captured by Indians - Sparks encloses power of attorney of William Dugan, late a private in Captain Guthries' Company of Levies, who was taking by the Indians in November 1791, with an oath respecting the time of his captivity. Requests what may be owing to Mr Dugan. Asks about contacting Secretary of War regarding extra duty remarking the boundary line between the United States and the Cherokee Nation on the border of Cumberland and Kentucky, which took 43 days. - https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/76780
1801, September 16: Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkinson, Benjamin Hawkins, and Andrew Pickens - I am sincerely sorry the Cherokees shew an indisposition to meet us: being very desirous of keeping on good terms with them, and of [attending] & serving them by every act of friendship & liberality. if the murderer of the [woman] cannot be found I refer to yourselves to consider whether it would not be proper to satisfy her relations by presents as is practised among themselves, and as we [do by] compact with some of the tribes of Indians. still assuring the nation however that if the murderer [can] be found he shall be punished.—I am disappointed in [the conduct] of the Glass. percieving that he was a man of strong mind, no attention […]ed at Washington to conciliate his friendship; and we believed he had [left us with the best] dispositions. Accept assurances of my high consideration & respect, and my best wishes for the success of your negociations. - https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-35-02-0238
1862, September 16: The letter from John ROSS to Abraham LINCOLN is found below:
“Lawrenceville New Jersey September 16, 1862. President Lincoln. Sir/During the interview which I had the honor to have with your Excellency the 12th. Inst. You requested that the objects of my visit should be communicated in writing. I therefore beg leave, very respectfully, to represent, 1st. That the relations which the Cherokee Nation sustains towards the United States, have been defined by Treaties entered into between the Parties from time to time, and extending through a long series of years. 2nd. Those Treaties were Treaties of Friendship and Alliance. The Cherokee Nation as the weaker party placing itself under the Protection of the United States and no other Sovereign whatever, and the United States solemnly promising that Protection. 3rd.
The Cherokee Nation maintained in good father her relations towards the United States [2] up to a late period and subsequent to the occurrence of the war existing between the Government and the Southern States of the Union and the withdrawal of all protection whatever by the Government. 4th. That in consequence of the want of that Protection Civil and Military, and the overwhelming pressure brought to bear upon them the Cherokees were forced for the preservation of their Country and their Existence to negotiate a Treaty with the “Confederate States” 5th. That no other alternative was left them surrounded by the Power and influences, that they were, and that they had no opportunity freely to express their views and assume their true position until the advance into their Country of the Indian Expedition during the last summer. 6th. That as soon as the Indian Expedition marched into the Country the great Mass of the Cherokee People rallied spontaneously around the authorities of the United States and a large majority of their warriors are [3] now engaged in fighting under their flag. A movement not less in accordance with the Sentiments of the Cherokee People than with the Proclamation issued by W. F. Cloud Comdg. United States Forces and the view expressed by W. G. Coffin Esqr. U. S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs and Copies of which are herewith submitted. For the correctness of the foregoing Statement most respectfully refers your Excellency to the Treaties between [the] United States and the Cherokee Nation.
To the Proclamation and letters just mention, to my published correspondence with Genl. McCulloch C. S. A. and Albert Pike, Esqr. Commissioner appointed by President Davis to the Indian Nations South Kansas and others, and to reports from U. officers connected with [the] Indian Expedition which are supposed to be on file in the Department of War. The advance of the Indian Expedition gave the Cherokee People an opportunity to manifest their views by taking [as] far as possible a prompt and decided stand in [4] favor of their relations with the U. S. Govt. The withdrawal of that Expedition and the reabandonment of that People & Country to the forces of the Confederate States leaves them in a position fraught with distress, danger and ruin!
What the Cherokee People now desire is ample Military Protection for life and property; a recognition by the Govt. of the obligations of existing Treaties and willing [inserted ness] and determination to carry out the policy indicated by your Excellency of enforcing the Laws and extending to those who are loyal all the protection in your Power. For the satisfaction and encouragement of my own People and the Indian Nations who live near them, I beg leave very respectfully to suggest that you will issue a Proclamation to them, if deemed proper, in accordance with the views which you entertain on this subject and which will enable me to make assurances in behalf of the Govt. in which they can confide. Hoping that your official engagements may admit an early reply to this communication. I have the honor to be, Sir, With Sentiments of high regard Yr [your] Obt. [obedient] Serv’t [servant]. John ROSS, Princl. Chief Cherokee Nation.”
One and a half week later, LINCOLN responded in a cautious and lawyerly way, mindful of the fact that ROSS had initially sided with the Confederacy, i.e. “I shall cause a careful investigation to be made.” It was obvious that LINCOLN did not trust ROSS.
In 1862 the Confederacy's position in Indian Territory began to deteriorate. In March, Confederate commanders ordered Indians to a battle outside the territory at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Although two Cherokee regiments fought reluctantly, a Creek regiment and a Seminole battalion refused to go because the Confederates were overdue in making promised payments. This violation of treaty terms alienated many Native Americans, as did the decision to transfer many of the Southern troops protecting the area to east of the Mississippi. During the summer, a Union Army detachment that included Creek and Seminole soldiers invaded Indian Territory. The U.S. wanted control of the territory, in part to keep its resources from the Southern war effort, in part so that Native American refugees in Kansas and Missouri could return home. The Northern troops won two easy victories and added to their ranks many Cherokees originally recruited by Chief Ross for the Confederacy. When this army withdrew in late summer, the territory had neither Union nor Confederate troops to keep order. Some Native Americans on both sides used this opportunity to settle scores by burning homes, destroying crops, slaughtering livestock, and killing their enemies.
By 1863 President LINCOLN and his military leaders had decided on a "Grand Strategy" that tried to "turn back the Rebels at every opportunity." The Union began a new attempt to control Indian Territory when in the spring the Federal Army of the Frontier, commanded by Maj. Gen. James BLUNT, captured Fort Gibson near the Creek-Cherokee border. The Army of the Frontier included not just white troops, but a large number of Native Americans and the 1st Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Colored), a regiment recruited from ex-slaves. It was the first African-American regiment organized, and the fourth to be mustered into Federal service.
Brig. Gen. Douglas H. COOPER, commander of the Confederate forces in the area, resolved to regain strategically located Fort Gibson. Native Americans, including Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw, made up the majority of his troops. COOPER's men also included a regiment of Texans who brought leg-irons and hand-cuffs, since they expected to capture and return to slavery any African Americans who lived through the battle. Their base was at Honey Springs, named after the natural water supply that for years had made it a stop for travelers. COOPER organized his forces and waited for reinforcements to arrive from Fort Smith in Arkansas.
There were frequent skirmishes between the two sides during the early summer. BLUNT, well supplied with information from Confederate deserters and Union spies, concluded that COOPER's forces would attack as soon as his reinforcements arrived. BLUNT decided to attack first. By the morning of the 17th, his troops, soggy from marching south all night through intermittent rain, had halted behind a ridge to rest and eat. They stopped there in large part because less than half a mile away were Confederate troops, who concealed themselves in the trees that hugged the bank of a nearby creek. They too had been out all night in the rain.