Chustenahlah, OK

Date(s): December 26, 1861

Campaign(s): Operations in the Indian Territory [1861]

Battles in Campaign:

• Round Mountain, OK - November 19, 1861 D¹

• Chusto-Talasah, OK - December 9, 1861 D¹  

• Chustenahlah, OK - December 26, 1861 B

Situation:

• Confederate troops began a campaign to subdue the Native American Union sympathizers in Indian Territory and consolidate control.

• Confederate forces had attacked Chief Opothleyahola’s band of Creeks and Seminoles at Round Mountain and Chusto-Talasah.

• They planned to finish them off by assaulting them in their camp at Chustenahlah in a well-protected cove on Battle Creek.

Commanders:

• Union: None 

• Confederate: Col. James McQueen McIntosh

• Indian: Chief Opothleyahola

Principal Forces:

• Union: None

• Confederate: McIntosh’s and Douglas Cooper’s brigades

• Indian: Creek and Seminole

Description:

• Col. James McQueen McIntosh and Col. Douglas H. Cooper, commanding the Indian Department, planned a combined attack with each of their columns moving on the camp from different directions.

• McIntosh left Fort Gibson on December 22, 1861 with 1,380 men.

• On the 25th, he learned that Cooper’s force could not join for a while, but McIntosh decided to attack the next day, despite being outnumbered.

• McIntosh attacked the camp at noon on the 26th.

• The Indian defenders were secluded in the underbrush along the slope of a rugged hill,.

• As the Confederate attacked, the Creek and Seminole Indians fell back.

• The retreat became a rout as the Indians reached their camp where they attempted to make a stand there but were forced away again.

• The survivors fled with many going to Kansas where they found loyal Unionists.

• Chief Opothleyahola’s band of Creeks and Seminoles mounted no resistance again.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³: Unknown

• Union:

• Confederate:

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• The Battle of Chustenahlah - War of Rebellion

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/28/2011