An advance party of one side runs into pickets from the other side on June 30, 1863 near a small town. They skirmish. Survivors withdraw back to their own lines. Word is sent up the chain of command “Oh hey, the enemy is here.” Word comes back down the line “Well, boys, get ready, we a fixin’ to fight.” So both sides got ready for battle.
This battle didn’t take place in a little town in Pennsylvania called Gettysburg. Instead, it takes places hundred of miles to the west in Oklahoma, at Cabin Creek near present day Pensacola, Oklahoma. In the battle were the First Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment. (Army of Freedom, p. 148) They had two twelve pound howizters as part of their weapons. (Army of Freedom, p. 148) They let the Johnny Rebs have it with both barrels come July 1, 1863*.
At Gettysburg, the Union held the high ground and the Rebels charged. Cabin Creek was the opposite. The Confederates held the high southern bank of ford to cross the creek. (Army of Freedom, p. 149) The entire Union wagon had to go from the northern bank to the southern. Troops, cavalry, artillery and supplies all had to get across that creek. The Rebels were determined to stop them from getting to Fort Blount.
July 1, 1863, just as Little Round Top which would occur the next day in Pennsylvania, the defenders dug in and the attackers charged. With much the same result. Unlike, the Confederates, the Union knew a hopeless situation when they saw one. After attacking a weak point and getting to the creek, they realized the water was too high to get everyone across. (Army of Freedom, p150) Rather than pressing the attack, the Union withdrew for the night, setting up camp. (Army of Freedom, p. 151). The Commanding Officer conferred with this subordinates as the best course of action. It was agreed, only an all out assault would do to drive the Rebels off the bank. (Army of Freedom, p. 151) No single regiment going up against the combined forces arrayed against them, but everyone, colored troops, Indian troops and white troops alike. Everyone had to work together or no one would cross.
Cabin Creek on July 2, 1863 ran a day ahead of Gettysburg. The charge would July 2, not July 3. It would be massive, not one poor general told to take a hill. It also had a better outcome than Pickett’s ill-fated charge. At eight o’clock with the creek noticeably down, the Union opened fire. They kept it up for 40 minutes.(Army of Freedom, p. 152. The Rebels seemed in disarray, so the column was ordered forward. The first troops in were the First Kansas and an Indian regiment. They made it into the creek when the Confederates opened fire. (Army of Freedom, p. 152) The men were trapped with no cover. They had no choice but to retreat rather than be slaughtered. The CO wasn’t about to let his plan fall apart. He ordered three full companies to the right of the Union position, so they could fire at the Southern Bank on an angle. (Army of Freedom, p. 152). “For twenty minutes Union forces pounded the southern bank of Cabin Creek with iron cannon shell and lead musket balls.” (Army of Freedom, p. 152). Under covering fire, the Unions waded into the ford and up the other bank. Right through the Confederate lines. (Amry of Freedom, p. 152). It was pretty much over at that point.
Union losses were minimal, only 1 dead and 20 wounded compared to the Confederate casualties of 100. (Army of Freedom p. 153). The wagon train had defeated a larger force and was able to move on to Fort Blount safely. The Battle of Cabin Creek was a resounding victory for the Union. Doubly so because it showed it didn’t matter your skin color, soldiers are soldiers and they will fight.
*Okay, they were only allowed to use one twelve pounder but never let a good line go to waste.