Battle of Locust Grove

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{{short description|Battle of the American Civil War}}

{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = American Civil War
| conflict = Battle of Locust Grove
| width =
| width =
| partof = the [[Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War|Trans-Mississippi Theater]] of the<br>[[American Civil War]]
| partof =
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| date = July 3, 1862
| date = July 3, 1862
| place = Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (present-day Mayes County, Oklahoma)
| place = Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (present-day Mayes County, Oklahoma)
| coordinates =
| coordinates = {{coord|36|11.889|N|95|8.998|W|type:event|display=inline}}
| map_type =
| map_type =
| map_relief =
| map_relief =
| latitude = 36° 11.889′ N
| longitude = 95° 8.998′ W
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_marksize =
| map_marksize =
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| map_label =
| map_label =
| territory =
| territory =
| result =
| result = Union victory
| status =
| status =
| combatants_header =
| combatants_header =
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| combatant2 = Confederate Army
| combatant2 = Confederate Army
| combatant3 =
| combatant3 =
| commander1 = William Weer
| commander1 = [[William Weer]]
| commander2 = James J. Clarkson
| commander2 = James J. Clarkson
| commander3 =
| commander3 =
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| units2 =
| units2 =
| units3 =
| units3 =
| strength1 =
| strength1 = 250
| strength2 =
| strength2 = 300
| strength3 =
| strength3 =
| casualties1 = 9
| casualties1 = 9
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| campaignbox =
| campaignbox =
}}
}}
The '''Battle of Locust Grove''' was a small-scale confrontation in the [[Indian Territory]] on July 3, 1862. About 250 Union troops commanded by Colonel [[William Weer]], surprised approximately 300 Confederate troops commanded by Colonel James J. Clarkson, who were encamped near Pipe Springs. The Confederates, unable to form a battle line, were quickly dispersed into a thicket of locust trees.<ref name="EOHC-LocustGrove">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=LO002 Thomas, Betty Lou Harper. "Locust Grove." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>{{efn|The locust trees were likely of the black locust (''Robinia pseudoacacia'') variety, which are native to this part of North America.}} The skirmish resulted in about 100 Confederate soldiers dead and about 100 wounded or captured. Their commander was one of the prisoners. The Union claimed that its losses were three killed and six wounded. The Union troops also captured most of the Confederate supplies, including 60 wagons, 64 mule teams and a large quantity of other supplies. A number of Confederate troops escaped capture and took off for [[Talequah, Oklahoma|Talequah]] and [[Park Hill, Oklahoma|Park Hill]].<ref name="EOHC-Battle of Locust Grove">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=LO003 Jon D. May, "Battle of Locust Grove." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>
The '''Battle of Locust Grove''' was a small-scale confrontation of the [[American Civil War]] in the [[Indian Territory]] on July 3, 1862. About 250 Union troops commanded by Colonel [[William Weer]], surprised approximately 300 Confederate troops commanded by Colonel James J. Clarkson, who were encamped near Pipe Springs. The Confederates, unable to form a battle line, were quickly dispersed into a thicket of locust trees.<ref name="EOHC-LocustGrove">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=LO002 Thomas, Betty Lou Harper. "Locust Grove." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>{{efn|The locust trees were likely of the black locust (''Robinia pseudoacacia'') variety, which are native to this part of North America.}} The skirmish resulted in about 100 Confederate soldiers dead and about 100 wounded or captured. Their commander was one of the prisoners. The Union claimed that its losses were three killed and six wounded. The Union troops also captured most of the Confederate supplies, including 60 wagons, 64 mule teams and a large quantity of other supplies. A number of Confederate troops escaped capture and took off for [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma|Tahlequah]] and [[Park Hill, Oklahoma|Park Hill]].<ref name="EOHC-Battle of Locust Grove">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=LO003 Jon D. May, "Battle of Locust Grove." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>


Weer and his men spent the fourth of July at the battle site dividing the captured clothing among the victorious soldiers and apportioning all other captured supplies among the various units. After breaking camp, Were and his men proceeded to Flat Rock, about {{convert|14|miles|km}} from [[Fort Gibson]], which was then held by the Confederates.<ref name="CWAlbum">[http://www.civilwaralbum.com/indian/locustgrove1.htm "Battle of Locust Grove."] Accessed January 13, 2016.</ref>
Weer and his men spent the Fourth of July at the battle site dividing the captured clothing among the victorious soldiers and apportioning all other captured supplies among the various units. After breaking camp, Weer and his men proceeded to Flat Rock, about {{convert|14|miles|km}} from [[Fort Gibson]], which was then held by the Confederates.<ref name="CWAlbum">{{Cite web |url=http://www.civilwaralbum.com/indian/locustgrove1.htm |title="Battle of Locust Grove." Accessed January 13, 2016. |access-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204423/http://www.civilwaralbum.com/indian/locustgrove1.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The site of the battle is East of the present-day town of [[Locust Grove, Oklahoma]]. There is a commemorative marker on Scenic Route 412 in Pipe Springs Park, at coordinates 36° 11.889′ N, 95° 8.998′ W.<ref name="hmdb">[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52269 "Battle of Locust Grove." HMdb Historical Marker Database.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref> The inscription reads:
The site of the battle is East of the present-day town of [[Locust Grove, Oklahoma]]. There is a commemorative marker on Scenic Route 412 in Pipe Springs Park, at coordinates 36° 11.889′ N, 95° 8.998′ W.<ref name="hmdb">[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=52269 "Battle of Locust Grove." HMdb Historical Marker Database.] Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref> The inscription reads:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
“Federal troops suddenly attacked a confederate camp along the ridge near here at dawn, July 2, 1862. The surprised confederates hardly returned fire before their officers and heavy supplies were captured. Yet, hot fighting in the woods lasted nearly all day.”</blockquote>
“Federal troops suddenly attacked a Confederate camp along the ridge near here at dawn, July 2, 1862. The surprised Confederates hardly returned fire before their officers and heavy supplies were captured. Yet, hot fighting in the woods lasted nearly all day.”<ref>[https://locustgroveoklahoma.com/about-locust-grove/ "About Locust Grove." Accessed December 12, 2017.]</ref></blockquote>
On April 8, 1864 Weer was arrested for misappropriation of prisoner funds, drunkenness and neglect of duty. He was convicted following a court martial and cashiered from the army on August 20, 1864.


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Indian Territory in the American Civil War}}
{{Indian Territory in the Civil War}}


{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Locust Grove, I.T., Battle Of}}
[[Category:Indian Territory in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Battles of the American Civil War in Indian Territory]]
[[Category:1862 in the American Civil War
[[Category:Battles of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Union victories of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:July 1862 events]]
[[Category:1862 in Indian Territory]]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 7 November 2023

The Battle of Locust Grove was a small-scale confrontation of the American Civil War in the Indian Territory on July 3, 1862. About 250 Union troops commanded by Colonel William Weer, surprised approximately 300 Confederate troops commanded by Colonel James J. Clarkson, who were encamped near Pipe Springs. The Confederates, unable to form a battle line, were quickly dispersed into a thicket of locust trees.[1][a] The skirmish resulted in about 100 Confederate soldiers dead and about 100 wounded or captured. Their commander was one of the prisoners. The Union claimed that its losses were three killed and six wounded. The Union troops also captured most of the Confederate supplies, including 60 wagons, 64 mule teams and a large quantity of other supplies. A number of Confederate troops escaped capture and took off for Tahlequah and Park Hill.[2]

Weer and his men spent the Fourth of July at the battle site dividing the captured clothing among the victorious soldiers and apportioning all other captured supplies among the various units. After breaking camp, Weer and his men proceeded to Flat Rock, about 14 miles (23 km) from Fort Gibson, which was then held by the Confederates.[3]

The site of the battle is East of the present-day town of Locust Grove, Oklahoma. There is a commemorative marker on Scenic Route 412 in Pipe Springs Park, at coordinates 36° 11.889′ N, 95° 8.998′ W.[4] The inscription reads:

“Federal troops suddenly attacked a Confederate camp along the ridge near here at dawn, July 2, 1862. The surprised Confederates hardly returned fire before their officers and heavy supplies were captured. Yet, hot fighting in the woods lasted nearly all day.”[5]

On April 8, 1864 Weer was arrested for misappropriation of prisoner funds, drunkenness and neglect of duty. He was convicted following a court martial and cashiered from the army on August 20, 1864.

Notes

  1. ^ The locust trees were likely of the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) variety, which are native to this part of North America.

References