DECEMBER 9, 1861

BATTLE OF CHUSTO-TALASAH IN OKLAHOMA: NATIVE V. NATIVE IN THE CIVIL WAR

Also known as the “Battle of Caving Banks,” this fight occurred on Bird Creek near present Sperry, Oklahoma.  In November 1861, Confederates set out with Choctaw-Chickasaw, Creek, and Texan units to subdue Creek Chief Opothleyahola and his Creek & Seminole followers who opposed the Confederacy.  The Confederates sought to confiscate the dissidents’ slaves.  The first attack at the “Battle of Round Mountain” (November 19) failed.  Escapees retreated to the Horseshoe Bend of Bird Creek.  Opothleyahola had 2,000-2,500 individuals, the majority were women, children, and poorly armed men.  The Confederates had 1,300 soldiers & 2 Cherokee regiments.  The battle began in mid-afternoon.  At dusk Texas cavalry outflanked the bend & the First Regiment Choctaw-Chickasaw Mounted Rifles penetrated the center, but both ran low on ammunition and refugees fled toward Kansas.  Opothleyahola lost 150-300 dead and wounded, plus many noncombatants captured.

Source:  Michael A. Hughes, “Chusto-Talasah, Battle of,” Oklahoma Historical Society.  Retrieved 8/21/2020, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=CH066
Photo:  Jeffrey S. Williams (Skydancer506), 7/3/2011.  Bird Creek.  Permissive Use.