The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War

by Annie Heloise Abel

out of odd battalions and independent companies.[⁷⁴⁸] Cooper, in fact, seemed bent upon tantalizing Steele and many of the Indians were behind him.[⁷⁴⁹] Colonel Tandy Walker was especially his supporter. Cooper had been Walker's choice for department commander[⁷⁵⁰] and continued so, in spite of all Steele's honest attempts to propitiate him and in spite of his promise to use every exertion to satisfy Choctaw needs generally.[⁷⁵¹] To Tandy Walker Steele entrusted the business of recruiting anew among the Choctaws.[⁷⁵²]

Footnote 748: [(return)]

Steele to Anderson, February 13, 1863, Confederate Records, chap 2, no. 270, p. 89.

Footnote 749: [(return)]

It was not true, apparently, that the Chickasaws were dissatisfied with Cooper. See the evidence furnished by themselves, Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 1116-1117.

Footnote 750: [(return)]

Confederate Military History, vol. x, 134, footnote.

Footnote 751: [(return)]

Steele to Tandy Walker, February 25, 1863, Confederate Records, chap. 2; no. 270, p. 109.

Footnote 752: [(return)]

Crosby to Walker, March 11, 1863, ibid., p. 136. Steele thought that the Indians might as well be employed in a military way since they were more than likely to be a public charge. To Colonel Anderson he wrote, March 22, 1863 [ibid., p. 155], "I forward the above copy of a letter from Gen'l Cooper for Gen'l Holmes' information. I purpose if not otherwise directed to call out all the available force of the Nations within the conscript age.... They have to be fed and might as well be organized and put into a position to be useful." From the correspondence of Steele, it would seem that there was some trouble over Walker's promotion. April 10, Steele wrote again to Anderson on the subject of Indian enrollment in the ranks and referred to the other matter.

"The enclosed copy of some articles in the Treaty between the C.S. Govt and the Choctaws with remarks by Gen'l Cooper are submitted for the consideration of the Lt. Gen'l.

"It appears that Col. Walker was recommended to fill the vacancy made by the promotion of Col. Cooper, the right being given by the treaty to appoint to the office of Col., the other offices being filled by election, and that at the time, the enemy were at Van Buren. Col. Walker being at the convenient point was put upon duty by Col. Cooper and has since been recognized by several acts of my own, not however with a full knowledge of the circumstances. That under instructions from Gen'l Hindman a Regt was being organized which it was expected would be commanded by Col. Folsom, the whole of which appears to be a very good arrangement. The necessity that exists of feeding nearly all the Indians would seem to present an (cont.)

Furloughs and desertions were the bane of Steele's existence.[⁷⁵³] In these respects Alexander's brigade,

Footnote 752: [(return)]

(cont.) additional reason for having them in service. Companies are also being organized from the Reserve Indians, with the view to replace white troops with them who are now engaged protecting the frontier from the incursions of the wild tribes. Moreover the enemy's forces being composed partially of Indians, the troops would be effective against them, when they might not be against other troops..." [ibid., pp. 186-187]. Appointments, as well as promotions, within the Indian service caused Steele much perplexity. See Steele to Anderson, April 13, 1863, ibid., pp. 190-191.