The Kansas in the Civil War Message Board

Second Battle of Cabin Creek, 139 Years Ago Today

Hello everyone:

Today is the 139h anniversary of the second battle of Cabin Creek, September 19, 1864. Confederate brigadier generals Richard M. Gano and Stand Watie led a rag-tag force, which surprised and captured a 300 wagon Union supply train at Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation. Gano estimated the supplies to have been worth more than $1 million in 1864 dollars. (That's $75 million in today's dollars.)

It is also the 139th anniversary of the battle of Pryor's Creek. After some skirmishing, an artillery duel last until dark. Then General Gano pulled off his big ruse, lighting campfires and running empty wagons over rocky ground back and forth to make Colonel James M. Williams of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry think the Confederates were going into camp for the night. When the Federals woke up the next morning, the Confederates were long gone.

On January 20, 1865, the Confederate Congress formally and officially thanked Watie, Gano and their respective commands for the capture of the wagon train at Cabin Creek. Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith called it "one of the most brilliant raids of the entire war."

Just an interesting tidbit from Indian Territory Civil War history I thought I would share. Still have videos and books available, if you would like to learn more.

Best to all from Spokane,
Steve Warren

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