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Honey
Springs Battlefield
was close enough for a visit when I
was staying at Lake Eufaula State Park. For us history buffs, especially
related to the Civil War, it made a very nice day trip. Also known
as the "Affair at Elk Creek" the confrontation took place
on July 17, 1863 between Federal and Confederate soldiers. It was
the largest of more than 100 conflicts in the Indian Territory during
the War Between the States. Hundreds of lives lost later, the Feds
won an important battle that left them with the nearby strategic
Fort Gibson.
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The
trails are very well marked and maintained and give a good overview
of events that transpired that day. Civil War historian Ed Bearss
called the battle "America's first 'Rainbow Coalition!'"
Troops on both sides included Native Americans, African Americans,
and Anglo Americans. I stopped at the interpretive center and lucked
out by meeting Ralph Jones, whose stories of both sides of the battle
helped bring it more to life.
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It
was too warm and sunny a day to explore all of the six
interpretive trails. But Ralph highly recommended Trail
#3 - a short .3 mile loop that was the Confederate Battle Line where
the heavy hand-to-hand fighting began. In this unplowed area is
more than 1/8-mile of the original Texas Road. Besides that, it
was a good choice because it was the only shaded trail.
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It
was a lovely, peaceful walk, but I could easily imagine the traumatic
sights and sounds of that day, helped by the informative signs along
the way. On either side of this bridge is the Texas Road.
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This
road was an important artery of trade and travel, and Honey Springs
served for some years as a stage stop, provision point, and watering
place on the Texas Road.
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Hand
to hand combat took place along the creek beds.
Today the Honey Springs battle site of nearly 3,000 acres is still
wooded and rural, much as it was at the time of the engagement between
the North and the South.
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Malia's
2 cents: I
enjoyed this self-guided tour very much. There are also special
events throughout the year with programs depicting what life
was like for civilians and soldiers of the times, memorial services
and candlelight tours. The battle is re-enacted every three
years, the next one being in 2008. |
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Address:
1863 Honey Springs Battlefield Rd.; Checotah, OK 74426
Location: 3.5
miles NE of Checotah, off I-40 (exit 264B) and US 69.
Phone: 918-473-5572
Contact: Ralph Jones, Superintendent
Email: honeysprings@okhistory.org
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on directions
for more info and stops along the way to the interpretive center. |
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