July 3, 1862---The Battle of Cowskin Prairie; The Battle of Locust Grove

JULY 3, 1862:   

 The Battle of Cowskin Prairie, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Confederate troops encamped on Cowskin Prairie (near present day Grove, Oklahoma) for forage and training. These troops included General Stand Watie and his Cherokee Braves.

Cowskin Prairie had become a site of Confederate preparation for engagements and training of troops. Special detachments used slaves to mine lead for bullets from nearby pits.  Blacksmiths constructed forges to weld scrap iron into shells and canisters.  On an improvised rifle range, the men practice shooting in ranks of three – standing, kneeling, and prone. Union forces in pursuit of Watie came upon the training ground and at a distance of about five hundred yards Union artillery fired a few rounds of ammunition into Watie’s camp.  The battle raged for several hours until Watie’s troops escaped into the darkness, leaving behind five to six hundred head of horses and cattle, which were captured by Federal forces. The loss of these supplies was a major setback to the Cherokee Confederates. 

On this same day:  The Battle of Locust Grove, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).  A Union force of approximately 250 men overwhelmed a Cherokee Confederate unit of similar strength. Surprised by the Union attack, the Confederates offered weak resistance. Many fled. About 100 Confederates died and 100 more were captured, along with sixty wagons, sixty-four mule teams, and a large quantity of supplies. Union casualties totaled three killed and six wounded.

The importance of the Battle of Cowskin Prairie and the Battle of Locust Grove was their combined impact upon Confederate morale in the Cherokee Nation. The defeats caused large-scale desertions among pro-Confederate Cherokees.