Stand Watie, a Cherokee leader and Confederate brigadier general, becomes the last Confederate general to surrender at Doaksville, Indian Territory. His surrender marks the final organized Confederate military resistance of the Civil War, occurring more than two months after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
The American Civil War officially ended when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. However, the last Confederate general to lay down his arms didn't surrender until more than two months later.
Stand Watie, a Cherokee leader and Confederate brigadier general, fought with his Native American troops in Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma) until June 23, 1865. As the last Confederate general to surrender, Watie's resistance marked the final chapter of organized Confederate military opposition during the Civil War. His unique story highlights the complex role Native Americans played in the conflict and demonstrates how the war's impact extended far beyond the major battles of the Eastern Theater.
Who Was Stand Watie: The Last Confederate General
#Stand Watie emerged as a prominent Cherokee leader who commanded the First Indian Brigade of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. His status as the last Confederate general to surrender marked a significant chapter in both Native American and Civil War history.
Cherokee Heritage and Early Life
#Stand Watie, born in Oothcaloga, Georgia, in 1806, grew up in a wealthy Cherokee family as the son of Oo-watie. His Cherokee name was Degataga, meaning "standing together." The family gained prominence through their bilingual education, entrepreneurial success in plantation ownership, and political influence within the Cherokee Nation.
Rise to Military Leadership
#Stand Watie's military career began in Indian Territory when he organized a mounted Cherokee regiment in 1861. His tactical expertise in guerrilla warfare earned him promotion to brigadier general in 1864, making him the only Native American to achieve this rank in the Confederate Army. The First Indian Brigade under his command conducted operations throughout Indian Territory, establishing control over key supply routes and strategic positions.
| Military Achievements | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Rank | Colonel (1861) |
| Promotion Date | May 6, 1864 |
| Command Unit | First Indian Brigade |
| Military Region | Indian Territory |
Stand Watie's Role in the Civil War
#Stand Watie's military service shaped Confederate operations in Indian Territory throughout the Civil War. His strategic leadership of Native American forces created a significant impact on the Trans-Mississippi theater of operations.
Command of the Cherokee Mounted Rifles
#Stand Watie formed the Cherokee Mounted Rifles in 1861, recruiting 300 Cherokee warriors who supported the Confederate cause. As a colonel, he transformed this cavalry unit into an effective fighting force specialized in rapid raids through challenging terrain. The Cherokee Mounted Rifles conducted operations across Indian Territory, targeting Union supply lines and military installations.
Notable Battles and Military Campaigns
#Stand Watie led his troops in several significant engagements:
- Captured a Union steamboat on the Arkansas River in June 1864, seizing $150,000 worth of supplies
- Commanded Confederate forces at the Battle of Cabin Creek in September 1864, securing a wagon train of supplies valued at $1.5 million
- Executed raids along the Texas Road through Indian Territory between 1863-1865
- Controlled key supply routes through Cherokee Nation lands during 1864-1865
| Battle/Campaign | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| First Battle of Cabin Creek | July 1863 | Confederate defeat |
| Ambush at Hildebrand's Mill | December 1863 | Confederate victory |
| Second Battle of Cabin Creek | September 1864 | Confederate victory |
| Cabin Creek Supply Raid | September 1864 | $1.5M supplies captured |
His guerrilla warfare tactics disrupted Union operations throughout Indian Territory until his surrender on June 23, 1865, marking him as the last Confederate general to lay down arms.
The Final Confederate Surrender
#Stand Watie's surrender marked the last formal capitulation of Confederate forces, taking place two months after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Circumstances Leading to Watie's Surrender
#By spring 1865, Confederate forces faced mounting pressure in Indian Territory as Union troops controlled major supply routes. The surrender of Confederate armies in the east isolated Watie's Cherokee forces, cutting off essential resources. His troops encountered severe shortages of ammunition, food supplies, medicine across Indian Territory, weakening their ability to maintain effective resistance. The lack of communication with other Confederate units left Watie's brigade increasingly vulnerable to Union advances.
June 23, 1865: The Last Stand
#On June 23, 1865, Stand Watie surrendered his Cherokee Confederate forces at Doaksville in Indian Territory. The Cherokee Confederate general signed the cease-fire agreement with Lieutenant Colonel Asa C. Matthews at Fort Towson. The surrender ceremony included:
| Details of Surrender | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Doaksville, Indian Territory |
| Union Representative | Lt. Col. Asa C. Matthews |
| Size of Force | 400 Cherokee troops |
| Terms | Full pardon for all troops |
| Military Assets | Surrender of weapons ammunition |
The formal capitulation completed the Confederate dissolution, ending organized resistance in the Trans-Mississippi region. Stand Watie's surrender represented the final lowering of the Confederate flag, marking the conclusive end to Confederate military operations.
Impact and Legacy of Stand Watie
#Stand Watie's surrender on June 23, 1865, marked a significant turning point for both the Confederate cause and the Cherokee Nation. His actions during and after the Civil War shaped Native American relations with the United States for generations.
Cherokee Nation After the War
#The Cherokee Nation faced devastating consequences following Stand Watie's Confederate alliance. The tribe experienced a 25% population decline during the war years, with over 6,000 Cherokee people becoming refugees. The post-war period brought severe economic hardships, including:
- Loss of tribal lands through punitive treaties
- Confiscation of property valued at $500,000
- Reduction in annual federal payments by 50%
- Division of tribal members between pro-Union and pro-Confederate factions
Historical Significance
#Stand Watie's role as the last Confederate general in Indian Territory created lasting impacts on Native American history. His leadership demonstrated:
| Achievement | Historical Impact |
|---|---|
| First Native American Confederate Brigadier General | Established precedent for Native American military leadership |
| Final Confederate Surrender | Extended Confederate resistance in Indian Territory until June 23, 1865 |
| Cherokee Mounted Rifles Command | Introduced innovative guerrilla warfare tactics in the Trans-Mississippi theater |
The Cherokee Confederate alliance under Watie influenced subsequent U.S.-tribal relations by:
- Reshaping federal Indian policy
- Altering treaty negotiations
- Affecting tribal sovereignty rights
- Impacting land ownership disputes in Indian Territory
Watie's military achievements and final surrender remain significant markers in both Civil War and Native American military history, highlighting the complex relationship between tribal nations and the American government during the 19th century.
Key Takeaways
#- Stand Watie, a Cherokee leader and Confederate brigadier general, was the last Confederate general to surrender on June 23, 1865, more than two months after Lee's surrender at Appomattox
- As the only Native American to achieve the rank of brigadier general in the Confederate Army, Watie commanded the First Indian Brigade and specialized in guerrilla warfare tactics
- His notable military achievements included capturing a Union steamboat in 1864 and securing $1.5 million worth of supplies at the Second Battle of Cabin Creek
- The final surrender took place at Doaksville in Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma), where Watie and his 400 Cherokee troops surrendered to Union Lt. Col. Asa C. Matthews
- Watie's Confederate alliance had severe consequences for the Cherokee Nation, resulting in a 25% population decline, loss of tribal lands, and significant economic hardships in the post-war period
Conclusion
#Stand Watie's surrender at Doaksville on June 23 1865 marked more than just the end of Confederate resistance. As the last Confederate general to lay down arms his capitulation symbolized the far-reaching impact of the Civil War on Native American communities. His leadership of the Cherokee Mounted Rifles and the First Indian Brigade demonstrated both military prowess and the complex alliances that shaped the conflict.
The consequences of Watie's decision to support the Confederacy reverberated through generations of Cherokee people affecting their lands rights and relationship with the federal government. His story remains a powerful reminder that the Civil War's impact extended well beyond traditional battlefields shaping American history in profound and lasting ways.