Middle Boggy Depot
Civil War Oklahoma

American Civil War
February 13, 1864

While on an expedition in February 1864 to meet, defeat or destroy Confederate forces in Indian Territory, Union Major Charles Willette and his troops surprised a Confederate force at Middle Boggy Depot on February 13.

Although poorly armed, the Rebels made a determined stand for a half hour before retiring. 

The Union forces killed 47 Confederates during this short fight.  Fear of the arrival of fresh Confederate forces influenced the Federals to retire to Fort Gibson.

During Colonel John F. Phillips's Indian Territory expedition, he and his men fought with and dispersed numerous Confederate forces. Middle Boggy Depot was, perhaps, the largest encounter during the expedition.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Unknown

Campaign: Operations in the Indian Territory (1864)

Date(s): February 13, 1864

Principal Commanders: Major Charles Willette [US]; Lt. Colonel John Jumper [CS]

Forces Engaged: Three companies of the 14th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and a section of Howitzers [US]; Seminole Battalion, Company A, 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw Cavalry Regiment, and a detachment of 20th Texas Regiment [CS]

Estimated Casualties: Unknown


Oklahoma State Battle Map
State Battle Maps
American Civil War Exhibits
Civil War Summary
Women in the War
Civil War Submarines
President Abraham Lincoln
Documents of the Civil War
Civil War Picture Album
History of Colored Troops
Confederate President Jefferson Davis
 
Web AmericanCivilWar.com
Volcano-Pictures.INFO

Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress

American Indian Civil War History Reading Book Titles


The American Civil War in Indian Territory
In 1861, Oklahoma was the recent home of the transported Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole). When the Civil War broke outboth Union and Confederate state forces moved in and began fighting, both in the Indian Territory and across the borders of neighbouring states (mainly Kansas, but also Texas and Arkansas). Indians were recruited by both sides, and took the opportunity to pursue traditional hostilities which were supported by a variety of regular troops, guerrilla bands and outlaws. this book examines the warring sides in this fascinating and complex conflict.
Lincoln and the Indians: Civil War Policy and Politics
The book discusses the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma (then Indian territory) and their relationship to both the Union and the Confederacy. The story picks up focus, though, in the discussion of the Minnesota Sioux rebellion, the summary trials and capital sentences of over 300 Sioux Indians, and Lincoln's remission of the death sentence in all but 39 cases. Nichols tells this story well, perhaps giving Lincoln's actions less credit and less courage than they may deserve.
Sam Bell Maxey and the Confederate Indians (Civil War Campaigns and Commanders)
General Maxey, arrives in Indian Territory in 1863 to assume command of a diverse and motley army of Indians. The troops are in disarray; they are suspicious of tribal alliances, weakened from malnutrition, their crops have been pillaged, and they are discouraged by a series of battlefield setbacks at the hands of the Union Army invading from Kansas. Maxey calls upon all of his leadership and administrative skills and his insight into Indian culture to win the confidence and loyalty of these soldiers. Desperately he fights to secure badly needed munitions and provisions from the Confederate bureaucracy, which is focused on the plight of its eastern armies. All the while he struggles with his own field commander, the able and ambitious Douglas Cooper, friend of Jefferson Davis, who is eager to supplant him. Yet, Maxey perseveres and succeeds in molding this "army without infantry" into an effective fighting force that plays an important role in the Red River and Arkansas Campaigns and ultimately helps prevent a Union invasion of north Texas.