<P> Two military engagements were fought at the Cabin Creek Battlefield in the Cherokee Nation within Indian Territory . The location was where the Texas Road crossed Cabin Creek, near the present - day town of Big Cabin, Oklahoma . Both the First and Second Battles of Cabin Creek were launched by the Confederate Army to disrupt Union Army supply trains bound from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson . </P> <P> In the First Battle of Cabin Creek, which occurred July 1--2, 1863, the Union escort was led by Colonel James Monroe Williams . Williams was alerted to the attack and, despite the waters of the creek being swelled by rain, made a successful counterattack upon the entrenched Confederate position and forced them to flee . The battle was the first in which African - American troops fought side - by - side with their white comrades . </P> <P> Honey Springs Depot, a site of frequent skirmishes, was chosen by General James G. Blunt as the place to engage the largest Confederate forces in Indian Territory . Anticipating that Confederate forces under General Douglas H. Cooper would attempt to join with those under General William Cabell, who was moving to attack Fort Gibson, Blunt approached Honey Springs on July 17, 1863 with a force of 3,000 men, including Native Americans and African - American former slaves . On the morning of July 17, he engaged Cooper in the Battle of Honey Springs, who commanded a force of 3,000--6,000 men composed primarily of Native Americans . Cooper's troops became unorganized and retreated when wet gunpowder caused misfires and rain hampered their movements . The battle was the largest of the war in the Indian Territory . Following the battle, which essentially secured the Indian Territory for the Union, guerrilla warfare became the primary means of engagement between opposing forces in the territory . </P> <P> Perryville, a town halfway between Boggy Depot and Scullyville on the Texas Road, had become a major supply depot for the Confederate army . After the Battle of Honey Springs, General Cooper retreated to Perryville, where his troops could be resupplied . General Blunt, who had returned to Fort Gibson, learned that the Confederates had regrouped there and believed his troops could capture the depot and destroy Cooper's forces . Blunt reassembled a force and led them to Perryville . Arriving there on August 23, 1863, he found that the Confederate commanders, Cooper and Watie, had already left for Boggy Depot . Only a small rear guard, commanded by Brigadier General William Steele, remained at Perryville . Blunt attacked under cover of darkness and the two sides exchanged artillery fire . The Union forces quickly scattered the Confederates, who eventually retreated again, leaving their supplies behind . Blunt's forces captured whatever supplies they could use, then burned the town . Instead of following the retreating Confederates southwest toward Boggy Depot, Blunt proceeded to attack Fort Smith, which he captured on September 1, 1863 . </P>

Battles concerning the civil war in indian territory