alternatehistory.com

Excerpts from the Report on Indian Territory, delivered to the Confederate Congress in 1863


...began my sojurn into the lands of the Red Indians by setting out from Arkansas, entering into the Choctaw nation accompanied by seven fellows - four of them veterans of the War of Independence - and five of my most hardy slaves to carry our heavier belongings. Equipped with horses as we were, it was not an overlong trip before we encountered Indians of the Choctaw Nation...


...Chickasaw braves in particular were most eager to demonstrate for me their proficiency with the bow, rather than the rifle. I remain unconvinced of the value of this weapon on the battlefield, but one cannot spend more than a few hours in the presence of an Indian stalking his prey before concluding that for bushwhacking or ranging they are without peer; they seem to vanish into the undergrowth in a way quite remarkable to a white man, and their bows make neither the thunder nor smoke of a musket or rifle...


...unfortunate tension between the Kiowa and the Comanche in the last few months, which I regret to report is probably not without basis on both sides. The continual small skirmishes that take place form an ideal crucible for the most perfect kinds of experience at military skill, including the bushcraft I have alluded to previously, but one wonders if the same would take place if these red men had the temperament of whites...


...working my way back towards the east, I was struck by the far smaller size of the Seminoles section of the reservation as contrasted with that of the Creek. They are fewer in number, of course, and seemed glad to see my party...


...Fally was shot in the leg by one of the Kickapoo tribe, dependents of the Chickasaw, who I immediately called out for a duel owing to the injury he did to one of my finest slaves. The weapons were tomahawks, which I am not familiar with, but managed to acquit myself well I think and honour was satisfied. Please excuse the writing of this entry, for I am unable to use my right hand owing to the bandages and am dictating...


...in conclusion, it is my opinion that in the Indian Territory we have a fine source for warlike and skilled Indians to act as auxiliaries to our army. Over the last two months I have seen bowmen, tomahawk-men, lancers, riflemen, musketmen, foot and mounted, large and strong or small and elusive.
My count of those who would be fit to serve is one thousand three hundred and seventeen, exceeding by three hundreds and more that required by treaty, and I was unable to visit many of the smaller bands particularly in the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations. I believe the supply of firearms should be increased, and that the Red Indian may ably fulfill many of the roles that would otherwise be left to the White man...