During the tumultuous years of the Civil War, a remarkable and often overlooked chapter unfolded in Kansas with the formation of the First Indian Home Guard Regiment in May 1862. This unique Union regiment comprised a diverse mix of Creek and Seminole Indians, along with African-Creek and African-Seminole individuals, all commanded by white officers. Their journey from displaced refugees to formidable Union soldiers is a testament to resilience and the complex loyalties that defined the era.
The Flight to Kansas: The “Trail of Blood on Ice”
At the war’s outset, the Union Army’s withdrawal from Indian Territory (Oklahoma) created a power vacuum, swiftly filled by the Confederate Army. This left Native American tribes, especially the Five Civilized Tribes, vulnerable. While some, like the Chickasaw and Choctaw, aligned with the Confederacy, many Creek and Seminole members remained staunchly loyal to the Union.
Tensions erupted into conflict in late 1861, as Confederate Indians and Texas regiments battled Union loyalists led by Creek Chief, Opothle Yahola. Overpowered, the Union loyalists, including African Creek and African Seminole who were among the first black men to take up arms against the Confederacy, were forced into a desperate exodus to Kansas. This harrowing journey, marked by severe winter conditions, starvation, and exposure, became tragically known as the “Trail of Blood on Ice.” They arrived in Kansas in wretched condition, facing widespread suffering and death.
Recruitment and the Birth of the Indian Home Guards
The plight of these refugees in Kansas eventually drew the attention of Union Army commanders. Desperate for manpower and aiming to re-establish a Union presence in Indian Territory, the Army began recruiting Indian soldiers. Despite significant prejudice and opposition from some Kansans who doubted their capabilities or feared an armed Native American populace, the recruitment proceeded. The promise of returning to their homes fueled the Indians’ desire to join.
Three regiments of Native American soldiers, known as the Indian Home Guards, were formed:
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First Regiment Indian Home Guard
Organized at LeRoy, Kansas, on May 22, 1862, under Colonel Robert W. Furnas. It comprised 66 officers and 1,800 enlisted men, primarily Creek Indians, with Seminole and African individuals. The African Creek and African Seminole became the first blacks officially mustered into the Union Army.
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Second Regiment Indian Home Guard
Formed in southern Kansas and the Cherokee Nation between June and July 1862, under Colonel John Ritchie, with 52 officers and 1,437 enlisted men.
From “Trail of Blood on Ice” to Union Blue: The Untold Story of the Indian Home Guards in the Civil War – Illustration 2 -
Third Regiment Indian Home Guard
Organized in July 1862 at Tahlequah and Park Hill, primarily consisting of Cherokee Pins and some former Confederate Cherokee soldiers.
Early Engagements and Gaining Strength
The Indian Home Guards’ first combat experience came in the summer of 1862. The First and Second Regiments joined white Union units in an expedition to reclaim Indian Territory. Organized at Fort Scott, Kansas, this expedition saw early successes. Significantly, black soldiers within these units served as crucial interpreters and participated in combat, making them among the first black soldiers in a major battle at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on December 7, 1862.
Initially, the Indian regiments struggled with Army discipline and tactics. The Osage of the Second Regiment found it particularly challenging, leading to desertions. However, with the replacement of some Indian officers by white noncommissioned officers and increased drilling, the regiments steadily improved. By the spring of 1863, brigade commander William A. Phillips declared them effective fighting units.
Key Battles and Securing Indian Territory
With enhanced training and discipline, the Indian Home Guards returned to Indian Territory and proved their valor in a series of decisive battles:
- Fort Wayne (October 1862): The Third Indian Home Guard played a vital role in pushing back Confederate forces, capturing their battle flag and artillery.
- Fort Davis (December 1862): Home Guards drove off Confederate warriors, leaving the fort in ruins.
- Fort Gibson (April 1863): The Second Indian Home Guard assisted in routing Confederate defenders.
- Cabin Creek (July 1863): Home Guards helped save a Union supply train from capture by Confederate Indian commander Stand Watie.
- Honey Springs (July 1863): In the most crucial battle in Indian Territory, Indian regiments, alongside white and African-American troops, secured a firm Union foothold, liberating vital supplies.
These victories enabled many Indian families to begin returning home by the spring of 1863, though fierce fighting would continue for two more years. The Home Guards participated in destructive marches through the territory in 1864, contributing to the ultimate Union victory despite the ongoing inter-tribal conflicts.
Conclusion
The Indian Home Guards stand as a powerful symbol of courage and determination during the American Civil War. Driven from their homes and enduring unimaginable hardship, these Native American and African-Native American soldiers rallied under the Union flag, not just for a cause, but for their very right to return to their ancestral lands. Their journey from refugees of the “Trail of Blood on Ice” to proud Union soldiers in blue, fighting in Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory, underscores their immense contribution to the Union victory and their enduring legacy in American history. Their story is a vital reminder of the diverse and often complex struggles faced by all who participated in this defining conflict.
