Native American's role in the Civil War

While many people believe that the Civil War was solely a white man’s war, and fought solely in the East and South this is untrue for the Native American nation.  Statistics show that approximately 20,000 Native Americans served in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. By fighting with the “white man” Native Americans hoped to gain favor with the prevailing government by supporting the war effort.  From the start of the war Native Americans believed that their role in the war would win them their freedom as well.

During 1861 to 1865, Native Americans struggled with the decision to enter the civil war at all. Some tribes, like the Cherokee entered the war without question. Other Native Americans that lived in the war-torn areas of the East made individual decisions whether they wanted to have anything to do with the fighting. Many tribes realized that they had a chance to take back some of their own land. Many joined the fight because it was the only survival option. “Tribal survival, not antislavery or other moral principles, made enlistment a necessity, even though they were joining in with local civilian and military personnel that desired the Indians’ removal”.  [1]

At the outbreak of the Civil War, the minority of Native Americans gave their allegiance to the Confederacy. Many Native Americans had sympathy for the south due all of the wars, and laws that the federal government had placed on them. One of the biggest supporters of the Confederacy was the Cherokee. Due to the fact the Federal government had abandoned the Indian Territory early on in the war leaving the nation vulnerable to confederate occupation. The Confederacy also promised that the Indians were to be “assured of maintaining their lands and to be provided with provisions as well as livestock and agricultural assistance”.[2] All if they pledged peaceful intentions towards the confederacy.

As for the Union the majority of the Native Americans severed on their side of the war. The Delaware Nation had a long history of allegiance to the U.S. government and became the biggest supporters for the Union party.  170 out of the 201 Delaware men that volunteered were Native Americans. [3] The federal government also promised land, food, and livestock but they also promised citizenship which above all what the Native Americans wanted. Indians all over the North took up arms for the Union cause. Another aspect for joining the Union side was that it could bring respect and perhaps gratitude of those in power. The army service also brought regular pay and food, and warrior status that was an honorable tradition for Native Americans.

Their roles in the armies were the same for both sides of the war. Like in previous wars many Native Americans were highly acclaimed guides and scouts they continued this role as “Scouts for the National Army in the West”.[4]  They lead the Union in and out of forest areas and into the camps of Confederate.  Native Americans fought in the war as foot soldiers to sharpshooters, using their skills of hunting and tracking. For the Native American on the Confederate side, they scouted the movements of the Union, knowing the land better than those who had just come for the fight. Even Native American women would join the fight following their men to war, cooking, and caring for the men.  One of the most famous Native American to serve in the Civil War was General Ely Samuel Parker. Becoming the highest ranking Native American as brigadier general, he even wrote up the terms of surrender for Gen. Robert E. Lee to sign at Appomattox Court House on April 9^th, 1865.  For the Confederate army Stand Watie was the leader of the Cherokee Nation’s pro-southern status. Watie became the only Native American to become brigadier general in the Confederate Army. He became most famous for his capture of the Union steamer J.R. Williams and raids in the west.

Even though Native Americans put themselves in harm’s way in both Union and Confederate war effort that often was unappreciative of their sacrifice. American Indians had to overcome racist restrictions in recruitment and long delays in securing commissions. Despite these barriers, Native Americans were able to persevere and rise in ranks, playing remarkable roles even in the outcome of the war itself.

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[1] Laurence M. Hauptman, “Between Two Fires: American Indians in the Civil War”, (New York: The Free Press, 1995), pg 23.

[2] Laurence M. Hauptman, “Between Two Fires: American Indians in the Civil War”, (New York: The Free Press, 1995), pg 27-28.

[3] Laurence M. Hauptman, “Between Two Fires: American Indians in the Civil War”, (New York: The Free Press, 1995), pg 22.

[4] Laurence M. Hauptman, “Between Two Fires: American Indians in the Civil War”, (New York: The Free Press, 1995), pg 81.