HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 3rd Indian Home Guard was a volunteer regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War, organized at Tahlequah and Park Hill in July 1862 from Native American tribes in Indian Territory, including the Cherokee, and other peoples like the Delaware, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Seneca, Shawnee, and Osage, under the command of Colonel John Ritchie. This regiment fought in Indian Territory and Arkansas, ultimately helping the Five Civilized Tribes to retain some of their lands after the war. Many of its troops had previously fought for the Confederate Army, particularly the First Cherokee Mounted Rifles that had been commanded by Colonel John Drew.
The regiments served primarily in Indian Territory but also ventured into Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Gen. James G. Blunt restricted scarce mounts to their scouts, but Colonel Phillips later tried to remount the entire Third Regiment at government expense. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant approved, but the transition never fully occurred, which inhibited efforts in 1864 to respond against Confederate cavalry raids. By then all three regiments served in the Fourth Brigade under Col. Stephen Watties.
Between 1862 and 1865 the regiments variously participated in the actions at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Honey Springs as well as dozens of engagements, skirmishes, and raids. The units were mustered out on May 31, 1865. Organization of a fourth and a fifth regiment was commenced but never completed, and their soldiers transferred to other units.
OFFICERS:
Col. William A. Phillips promoted from Major in the 1st Regiment.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Served Unattached, Dept. of Kansas, September, 1862. 1st Brigade, Dept. of Kansas, to October, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1863. District of Northwest Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863. District of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1863. 1st Brigade, District of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, District of the Frontier, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to February, 1864. Indian Brigade, District of the Frontier, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to February, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps, to May, 1865.
SERVICE:
Bayou Bernard, I. T., July 28, 1862. Neosho, Mo., September 1. Spring River September 1. Neosho September 3 and 5. Shirley's Ford, Spring River, September 20. Newtonia September 30. Occupation of Newtonia October 4. Newtonia October 5. Fort Gibson October 15. Old Fort Wayne or Beattie's Prairie, near Maysville, October 22. Cane Hill November 28. Capture of Fort Davis December. Salem December 2. Prairie Grove and Rhea's Mills December 7. Neosho December 15. Cane Hill December 20. Expedition over Boston Mountains and capture of Van Buren December 27-29. Sent to Indian Territory and occupy line of the Arkansas River and protect friendly Indians, with Headquarters at Fort Gibson, I. T, and Fort Smith, Ark., until May, 1865. Near Maysville January, 1863. Cherokee Country January 18. Fort Gibson February 28. Neosho March 2. Greenlief Prairie March 12. Fort Gibson March 27. Fort Blount March 27. Tahlequah March 30. Near Maysville May 8. Fort Smith, Ark., May 15. Near Fort Gibson and Fort Blount May 20. Fort Gibson May 22. Fort Blount May 25 and June 1. Operations about Fort Gibson June 6-20. Spring Creek June 6. Greenlief Prairie June 16. Fort Blount June 19. Cabin Creek July 1-2. Elk Creek, near Honey Springs, July 17. Operations in Cherokee Nation September 11-15. Fourteen Mile Creek October 30. Repulse of Quantrell's attack on Fort Gibson December 16. Near Sheldon Place, Barren Fork, December 18. Near Fort Gibson December 26. Operations in Indian Territory February 1-21, 1864. Scullyville April 16. Near Maysville May 8. Cabin Creek and Prior's Creek September 19. Cow Creek November 14 and 28. Expedition from Fort Gibson to Little River and Hillabee March 18-30, 1865. Skirmish on Snake River, Ark., April 28. Mustered out May 31, 1865.
ROSTERS:
Rosters are included in the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System. They have not been extracted. This database contains 2,102 names.
HISTORICAL NOTES: