Robert Parks' 1st Cherokee Regiment Day Book

March 1st to March 31st, 1863 entries

Sunday 1st Day March
Left McKinneys and by hard riding makes it to Tom Johnsons Perryville
Monday 2nd March
Leave early by way Head Quarter, Called only a very short time, drew corn and left in the Skullyville road This days ride is very hard road late, gits to Chegee Kings making in the days ride 40 miles.
Tuesday March 3rd
Left early, mule considerably [faged] rode hard all day and till dark a gain giting [note] to Skullyville 40 Miles again Finds Major Vore in Col Walkers office working upon our pay rolls.
Wednesday 4th March
Gits down to Camp by 10 O clock 4 miles below Gaines place finds our Regt Scattered considerably
Capt Foreman, Holt, Spears and parts of many other Company were yet in the Vicinity of Webbers Fall and the Canadian Capt Frye was at Ft [Coffee] with many of our men. Col Wm Pen Adair was in command at the encampment Steele.
Thursday March 5th 1863
Col Adair returned to Hd Qtrs, I found we had a new Sergeant Major, Mr Blackstone from Sterling Price army Corp the Mississippi river He had our boys hard at work all the day cutting, loading and burning cane.

Friday March 6 1863
Our Camps were all moved from their Scattered mess into Close Order and in regular State. Major Vore and Capt Robertson came in from Skullyville to pay off our Rigt up to the 30th of Sept 1862.

Saturday 7th March
Payment begins Co A & B was paid off Considerable trouble exist from the men being so very badly Scattered Many not being at the proper place at the right time.

Sunday March 8th 1863
Payments were continued all the Sabath Men were playing cards all over Camp and Whisky came in abundance Considerable confusion was kept up all the afternoon.

Monday March 9
Was greate noise in Camps last night and a great deal drinking and curowsing over in the Col Adairs Camps. I was privately told by a Commissioned Officer that means could be taken by a little [pay] to ketch the men who were bring whiskey in to our encampment and that one of the party was a Citizen dead head, in our camps, and that the other was an Officer of rank and Standing. A fight was gotten up in our Camps and a gaim of cards by two of the Soldiers of the 2nd Cherokees where upon I ordered out the Camp Guards and had gambling Supprest with in our Camp
Tuesday March 10th
Charges were preferred against three or four diffirent Individuals for bring in and Selling whisky through our camps I did not think the charges sufficient force to convict them and let the matter lay one was a soldier in Capt Adairs Co (Dick Timberfly) 2nd Che Regt, and two were citizen refugees in our camps and one was a citizen refugee living in the country near by. I had men spying out for the parties, Capt P G Lynch A.C.D. informed me in the presence of Capt E J Howland, That Capt Richard Martin and one Bill Sanders were selling whisky in and around our camps, and that he Lynch saw them divide the proceeds of one mighty sale, at an hour near mid night, but he wanted I should not leave his name in the affair as he and Richard were great friends

Wednesday March 11th 1863
All men Subject to Military duties are hereby notified, that they must either be sworn in to Confederate Service or quit this Camp forth with Officers commanding companies will be held responcible and punished for disobedience if they suffer such persons to stay with their Companies, And under no circumstance whatever can ration or forage be issued to such men Captains or officers Commanding Companies will cause reports to the Adjutant this day at 12 O clock to what extent this order can become out within their companies and the AGM will do the same in regard to men, not in his supply.
Camp Steele March 11th by R C Parks Lt Col
1st Che Rigt
F T Anderson
Adj
Many soldiers were paid off to day and some half dozen were swore into the [several] companys, Such as chose other wise, crost the way and settled in Col Adairs Regt - for rations & forage while whisky selling to our soldiers.
Capt Johnson Thompson 1st Che Regt, You will proceede to distribute the clothing got prior to the formation of the 2nd Cherokee Regt according to the rules and orders governing such distributions
R C Parks Lt Col
Comdg 1st Che Regt
Camp Steele
Genl D H Cooper Orders to Major Vore, AJM Ind Brg and to distribute to the most needy and such as had been longest in the Service with the less chance for receiving such

Thursday 12th March
Capt J Thompson A.G.M. Came to me for a written order in regard to the distribution of the clothing, That Capt Joel Mayes [acquired] 2nd was awaiting for the portion coming to the 5 Companys. Capt Thompson Shows me an order from Col Pen Adair direct to him, regardless of prior distribution and Genl Coopers orders respecting the distribution of such small lots of clothing
Capt Thompson then went and represented the case to Major Vore AGM Ind Brg, who ordered the clothing distributed according to Genl D H Coopers instructions to him The most needy among the old company should have them, and not to allow them divided by ___ 1/3 or 2/3 rule whitch was complied with by Capt Thompson.
Recieves Note from Col Wm P Adair informing me of Col Stand Waties having left him in Command and that he held it by Seniority and by appointment from him also. He did not wish to be contrary, but would like to be permitted to do his duty, as it may be required of him by legal authority. I would therefore like to know whether you consider yourself and the 1st Cherokee Regt subject to my orders.
Signed W P Adair Col
Comdg & ce

I looked and Studies for some place where I had disputed his superior command or violated his authority but could find none. Therefore I did not reply to him.
Capt J Thompson AGM came to me with a note from Col Wm P. Adair Stating to the Capt his appointment to the Command of the 1st Che Regt. and wanted to d_____y no so that Col Stand Watie might understand wheather he, Thompson considered himself subject to my orders issued by him or not Signed Wm Parks Col 2nd Che Regt
I hardly know what to say now and felt myself considerably [persuaded] to know what a Commanding Cols duty was and how low down in to regimental affairs a Commander of Rigiments might wish to [differ] I feel disposed in this case to try and see, Men came to me for passes - I refered them to Col Adair. They came back and showed me their passes, in this I thought I could stock the gaine on him
Friday Mar 13th
One or two men came to me before I had gotten up for passes I sends them over also. return with passes After breakfast they begin to crowd him he refuses passes and sends them back, with a short note, assure us that he give no passes and did not wish to interfere with my immediate Command
Signed Wm P Adair Col & ce
12 O clock P.M. Dispatch,
from Col Wm P Adair defining [material] lines. He has no right to interfere with my immediate Command of the 1st Cherokee Regt (and says) You have the right to govern your subordinate officers and men, and I can only give orders to you as Commanding 1st Che Regt He does not wish to be contrary and wishes to usurp no illegitimate power and has no desire to [anger] me, but will if I desire refer this matter to Genl Steele, and ask me to write asking Genl Steeles decision on this matter, he proposes cheerfully to sign it with me, and goes on telling me all a bout giving passes, Signing Ration Requisition & c In fact as if I had been doing here to fore in the 1st Che Regt and to please let him hear from me upon the subject, to distinctly under stand that he did not wish to interfere with the immediate Comdg of the 1st Che Regt
Signed Very respectfully
Your Obdt Servt
Wm P Adair Col 2nd
Che Regt & Comdg 1st & 2nd
Che Regts

Well! Refer the matter to Genl Steele What have I done to refer to Genl Steel What have I been doin outside the immediate Command of the 1st Che Regt that creates matter to refer to Genl Steele I must let him hear from me immediately upon the subject, What shall I say, Something he wishes to hear

Col Adair
Sir I wish to assure no further Command until Col Watie returns
Signed R C Parks Lt Col
1st Che Regt
Saturday Morning 14th March
Adjudant - gives me a pass - allowing me to pass & repass to Ft Smith
Signed J F Thompson
Major Comdg
1st Che Regt
Approved
Wm P Adair
Col 2nd Comdg
1st & 2nd Che Regt
Men all laugh at me and my pass - I have been easily check matted and the grasping desire to [rile] me was too plainly Shown and Approved of by the Col 2nd & Comdg 1st & 2nd Che Regt
Gits letter from Genl Steele after examining the Original notes, finding the [legalese] of Col Adairs Comdg of the 2nd Che Regt & 1st and 2nd Che Regt whitch no service had been disputing but him self. The letter was just as I expect and all I wished to do was to....Order. He may have issued orders to the men, Wagon Master & c I was aware of his issuing Orders to AGM 1st Che Regt, to do something contrary to Brg Genl D H Coopers orders - whitch I am told was not complied with
Col Wm P Adair will lay before you his complaints and let you know what the subject and matter is that he insist I shall bring before you
I enclosed his communications to you by Adjt Anderson so you might See that the Subject and Matter were all upon one side. I wish to assume no further Command, at the time for two reasons. One was to see how far Col Adair would go with me and the other I do not now wish to mention here.
Col Adair
Sir you will inclose to Genl Steele, all charges and complaints against me respecting your Comdg & my disobedience
Otherwise the rongs and injuries complained of are yet made justified.
Your Obt Sevt
R C Parks
1st Che Regt
Tuesday March 17th 1863
I enclosed the abov letter over to Genl Steele, and sent it over to Col Adair he returns a very nice reply, winding up though with every [brush] of an out break of fresh hostilities, he does not speak of exchanging hot lead but his meaning expresses as much
Major Joe Thompson, collect all the men with Serviceable horses and moves down near Ft Smith, to operate under Genl Steeles orders.
Adjt & Sergt Major both gon to Town Sends letter to Tom Rider inclosing 113, one hundred and thirteen dollars to AMK being due him on his services. Collected of J Bryant 20 dollars for AMK Order Sends also by Dr. Fisk Thirty dollars to by Copper for me in Texas
Wednesday 18th
Adjt Anderson gits in from Fr. Smith, Dilivers verbal mesage from Genl Steele to Lt col R C Parks -
He thought Col Adair had acted towards Col Parks with the greatest of kindness, and it seams Lt Col Parks was trying to pick a quarrel with Col Adair, that he could not well understand, that it was the duty of Lt Col Parks to obey the orders of Col Adair
that Lt Col Parks letter Showed a Spirit of insubordination and that he wanted the matter, exceded and nothin gmore said about it
I, M C Frye, Capt Co I, 1st Che Regt heard that F anderson diliver to Lt Col Parks a verbal mesage from Genl Steele to Lt Col Parks
Signed M C Frye Capt
(Co I) 1st Che Regt
I Cirtify to my hearing about the same mesage given Adjt Anderson and I heard Adjt Anderson diliver the same to R C Parks
Signed Wm. L. Holt

Col Stand Watie
Dear Sir, I find it a matter of impossibility for me to continue my services in the Regt. I can live in no peace, while trying to fulfill the offices to whitch I was elected _____ with the rigt. I have no desire to _______ my life and time a way ____ing and working against or under r________ of [every ______ prejudice] men desirious of Officer and Officers seaking promotion I claim no higher motive than the well fair of our course, and the future event of power & greatness [among] the Southern the Southern Cherokees I can do fair more Towards That end and my own happiness. I by taking up a musket and giving in to rank, where [everyone] seeks no advantage feeling so I hope you will favor me all you can to accomplish that end
Truly Your Obt Sevt
R C Parks
This makes the third day since our men has had one month full of beef or meat; Capt Lynch A C 1st Che Regt, having spent Two or Three days in Town drunk and now two days in Camps drunk or otherwise unable to attend business, yesterday and Today he has either confined him self to his own tent sick or that of the Doctors

Thursday March 19th
Prisoner reported brot in from Dutch Mills A partie of some 60 Confederates attacked what f___ State Militia & Pins at that point capturing 17[8] with all their effort
Some are said to be disirter from Col J___ Drews old Rigt Found T J Parks five hundred dollar, Taking his [receipt] for the same T J P gos out on [Ports] Sends me my Duplicates and some of his own
Capt Thompson brings Lt Boons watch from Shop. I had got it out of repair, with both hands. I had it repaired, was charged 30$ -

Friday march 20th
Drew of the proceedings of the eight-ninth-tenth eleventh and 12-13-14 from this book and sends it to Genl D H Cooper. Together with my insubordinate letter to Genl Steele and his replye, and a copy of my letter to Col Stand Watie
I written also to Genl Cooper respecting claims held against diserter & other who have deserted and went over to the Federals

Order
Officers Commanding Companies will cause no passes to be issued to their men until after morning drill The morning drill will commence at 8 O clock and close at 10 O clock. R C Parks Lt Col
Lt Snoddy Co. K. was sent out to watch three horses that Sergt Ebee had found tied out in the cane. Lt Snoddy and two others were laying by the horses under Arms. Soon after dark two men came riding up and was haulted. The parties turned to run when Lt Snoddy & co fired into them some four shots, The parties made good their escape after dropping a sack of clothing. Col Adair took possession of the horses and claimed that he would try and see who the men were
Capt Buford Alberty think that he pretty well knows the parties who stole the horses and had them hid out. He knew of men leaving the 2nd Che Rigt Just time anough to have got when the report of guns was heard in the direction of where the horses were
Hd Qrs 1sr Che Regt
Camp ____

Brig Genl D H Cooper
Dear Sir [Thos] J Parks is now here and raising a company for the Service and if I can be released here of my position here in Time I wish to go in That Company and would be glad to have it arranged so by your Order as not to be connected with nor be under their Cherokee Rigts but wish to be permitted to act and run [go] independent, and move upon the Emergencies of Circumstances, I can do far more execution with 50 men in the mountains of the Cherokee Nation than our Two Rigts will under their present arrangement I made application to Cols Watie and Adair before leaving Canadian for 2 Co from each Regt and such as could not mount themselves that I would assist in mount them and remaining in the neighborhood of Tahlequah and Spring Creek where we could forage and supply ourselves Now arrangement has been made with Genl Steele, and the serviceable horses have been put under Major Joe Thompson and have been Scouting out the County South of Ark river and the sugar loaf.
A Regimental Court Martial are hereby Ordered to Convene at the Round Tent Wednesday Morning 10 O clock for the Trial of sertain members of Co H. Charged with robbing the house of Widdow Fencer, Citizen Che Nation, and Carrying off the meat of two hogs - one beef, 2 gallons of soap & 2 gallons Lard, And such others as may be brought before the court
Detail
Jas Stuart Capt Co K
Dolphus Daniels Lt Co C
Leut Major Co G
Leut W H Turner Judge Advocate
No other Officers will be permitted to assemble R C Parks Lt Col
1st Che Regt
Major Joe Thompson gits in from Scout towards Sugar Loaf mountain Report charging upon one house where some three or persons were - who was supposed to be Union men, They were fired in to them, taking two prisoners, and shooting one very bad that is reported by the men. The Scouts finds a Camp one tent where some four or five persons Old woman give the [Mo] Indians the devil [Yells] You are nice Indians, nice camp bring down the [Choctaws] to kill and butcher up White men Send out Indians to [govern] & ________ Citizens of Ark.
Your patrols too are men who have left our boys a short while ago right on these hills They fell out with some our boys and left over by Camp and are now leading the Indians down upon us. Your father before you was a grand thief who stole horses and counterfited money, and has received one hundred lashes on his bare back.

Wednesday March 25th 1863
I felt very unwell continue with bad cough [Tommy] Denton of Capt Hugh Turners Co was the man shot yesterday down on Sugar Loaf mountain fight
Mrs Salome Speegles came up from toward Sugar Loaf Where some of our men had lately been Jayhawking and had got her mare and her son inlaws Clothing She described everything so well that there must be no mistake but the thing claimed was hers She promises being back this day week
Thursday 26th March 1863
My cough so very bad that I lay in Camp all the day. Jeff returns from up Port Several more prisoners were brought in from the direction of Sugar Loafe
Friday 27- March 1863
Thanks given day, we made no show of fasting in our Camps. No news of any importance 2 boats were moved to the bank for Webbers Falls loaded with Corn River up, best news all around.
(Private)
Mrs Speegles and her son inlaw are under the impression, That they would recognize the men who entered her house and robed her trunk on the night of the 19th [Inst] Mrs Speigal & H C Thomas will be in Ft Smith on Thursday eavning next 2nd April and should the Genl wish the matter, he could make no better begaining than [call] be fore her one Henry Hen_____, John Delaware and one Burke all of the 2nd Che Regt, and I am told of Capt Shannon Company R C Parks
______ ____
Saturday 28th March 1863
I was very sick all day Kept my bed, bad taste in mouth with Sick Stomach
Sunday 29th March 1863
Still Confined did not git up only as necessity compelled me to
Monday 30th March
Received letter from Clara also one from J W Wells, [a aged] Genl Cooper
Confined all day
Tuesday 31st March
Feels better - up some and ate a small supply sufficient to cause me mutch better feelings
Jeff came in to see me.

Return to transcript contents