It took a village

Telling the story of the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs through interactive exhibits is a process that has taken over 50 years! As the visitor center celebrates its grand opening—opening the final stage of its indoor exhibits—the OHS would like to recognize the many contributions of time, dedication, and hard work that have brought this project to fruition.

Countless individuals, communities, donors, organizations, scholars, archaeologists, curators, artists, filmmakers, board members, volunteers, construction and maintenance workers, and staff have contributed greatly to making the historic battlefield site and the new state-of-the-art Honey Springs Visitor Center a reality. It is with respect, fondness, and gratitude that the OHS takes a moment to acknowledge the many hands—some pictured above—who have been part of this effort over the years.

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Learn more about the Battle of Honey Springs

The engagement at Honey Springs was the largest of more than 107 documented hostile encounters in Indian Territory. It took place on a rainy Friday, July 17, 1863, between the First Division Army of the Frontier, commanded by Major General James G. Blunt, and the Confederate Indian Brigade led by Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper. Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) regiments fought on both sides. There were approximately 9,000 men involved including Native American soldiers, veteran Texas regiments, and the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, which was the first African American regiment to see battle in the Union army.

The Honey Springs Battlefield is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Visit The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture to find out more about the Battle of Honey Springs.

November is Native American Heritage Month

Did you know that Indigenous people fought at the Battle of Honey Springs? First Sgt. Zeke Proctor (Cherokee), pictured at right, fought alongside 52 officers and 1,437 enlisted personnel of the Second Indian Home Guards. It was formed in southern Kansas and the Cherokee Nation between late June and early July 1862. It consisted of one company each of Delaware, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Seneca, and Shawnee soldiers, two companies of Osage soldiers, and two of Cherokee. During the operations in Arkansas in 1862, they were part of the First Brigade in Major General Blunt's First Division, Army of the Frontier. They saw action at Baxter Springs, Kansas, and at Cowskin Prairie, Locust Grove, Spavinaw, and Webbers Falls in the Indian Territory. By the spring of 1863, after the organization of the Union Indian Brigade under Colonel William A. Phillips, this regiment was comprised principally of Cherokees.

Learn more about the Indigenous regiments that fought on both sides of the Battle of Honey Springs by coming to the visitor center, or read about their contributions online by clicking here.

Pictured above: First Sgt. Zeke Proctor (Cherokee), Second Indian Home Guards (OHSCW.562, OHS Civil War Collection, OHS). This image, and the information above, are included in the new exhibits at the Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center.