This is the memorial area at Honey Springs Battlefield State Park in Oklahoma.
Located at the southern end of the battlefield, the ridge seen here was the scene of the main Confederate supply depot prior to the battle.
Honey Springs takes its name from several small springs that rise just west of the battlefield. A pretty clear stream winds past the bottom of this hill.
At the time of the Civil War, the old Texas Road crossed the ridge. This important pioneer trail led from Missouri south across what is now Oklahoma to Texas. At the time of the war, of course, these were the Indian Nations. Honey Springs is located in the Muscogee or Creek Nation.
When he advanced north to join forces with General Cabell for a campaign against the Federals across the Arkansas River in the Cherokee Nation, General Cooper established his base at the Honey Springs Depot (or stopping point) on the Texas Road. Thousands of Confederate soldiers camped around the base and supplies were accumulated here for the coming campaign.
Our series on the Battle of Honey Springs will continue.
4 comments:
Dale,
What's the best single source you've come across for Honey Springs? For me, what comes to mind is an article from N&S from a while back (don't recall the author).
Drew
Drew,
Good question. The account in the "Prairie on Fire" book is good, especially because of its listing of casualties. My favorite is the one that accompanied the archaeological report on the work at Honey Springs because it adjusted the thinking on the battle quite a bit. Have you seen that one?
Dale
Hi Dale,
I did read "Prairie on Fire" (which reminds me I need to buy my own copy someday soon), but have no knowledge of the archaeology paper you mention. Is it a NPS report?
Thanks for the suggestion!
Drew,
It was done as part of the planning for the battlefield park. I have a copy of it somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it out and give you the reference.
Dale
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