Road to Newtonia
While
the Federals lost their foothold in Indian Territory, the rest of the
Department of Kansas focused on developments in Missouri and Arkansas. Major
General Samuel R. Curtis held overall command in this portion of the
Trans-Mississippi, with General John Schofield managing affairs in the field
with Blunt’s Frontier Division and General James Totten’s Missouri Division. Southern forces under General Thomas Hindman
had fortified Arkansas and by the end of August had formed a line along the
border with Missouri. At any time they could make forays there to take
advantage of that state’s forage and mills. Cooper played a role in this.
Taking advantage of the Federal withdrawal in the latter half of July, he
occupied a space in northeastern Indian Territory ten miles west of its border
with Missouri. In response Blunt ordered Colonels Salomon and Weer to take their
brigades south and look for possible signs of invasion. These various forces
were in position for a small, but notable battle at the town of Newtonia.
Though this town was in Missouri, not Indian Territory, I feel that it should
be included because it shows how the Confederate Indians participated with the
territory again back in their hands. It also set the stage for the next Federal
entry.[1]
In preparation for his planned campaign in Missouri, Hindman directed several of his subordinates, including those in Indian Territory, to gain a foothold in the southwestern corner of the state, with an eye towards acquiring the Granby lead mines (helpful in creating ammunition).[2] The Confederates occupied a line across southern Missouri that paralleled the Arkansas border. One notable site was of course Granby and its lead mines. Newtonia lay east, to the south, and further south of that was Camp Coffee, where Shelby’s Missourians gathered. Roughly north of Newtonia was Sarcoxie, where in a few days Union army and militia units concentrate. The general area was noted for its mills, which produced vital cereal crops for man and animal alike.[3]
