Battle of Honey Springs facts for kids

The Battle of Honey Springs was an important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on July 17, 1863. This battle was a big win for the Union army. It helped them take control of the Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. What made this battle special was that most of the soldiers on both sides were not white.

Why the Battle Happened

The main Confederate leader in the Indian Territory was Douglas H. Cooper. He wanted to capture Fort Gibson. This fort was the main Union base in the area. If the Confederates took the fort, they would control the whole territory.

General Cooper and his soldiers waited near Honey Springs, by a place called Elk Creek. His army included several groups from Texas. There were also many Native American soldiers fighting for the Confederates. General Cooper needed more soldiers from Arkansas before he could attack Fort Gibson.

The Union leader in the territory was James G. Blunt. He found out about the Confederates' plan. So, he decided to attack them first! General Blunt's army had soldiers from Kansas, Wisconsin, and Colorado. There were also many Native American soldiers fighting for the Union army.

The Battle Begins

The battle started early in the morning on July 17. The two armies began fighting north of Elk Creek. The Confederate soldiers slowly moved back towards the creek.

Union and Confederate soldiers fought hard along the creek for several hours. The Confederates began to retreat when the middle of their battle line was attacked. This attack came from the brave soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry.

What Happened After

After the battle, General Cooper had to burn many of his supplies at Honey Springs. He did this so that General Blunt's Union army could not capture them.

The Confederates lost 627 soldiers, either killed, wounded, or missing. The Union army had fewer losses, with 75 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. This battle was a big victory for the Union.

Images for kids

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  General Douglas H. Cooper (1815–1879)

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  General James G. Blunt (1826–1881)

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  Map of Honey Springs Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.