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— CH. 1 · THE ANCIENT ONE —

Stand Watie

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • Stand Watie was born on the 12th of December 1806 at Oothcaloga in the Cherokee Nation. His father Uwatie held African-American slaves as laborers and became a wealthy planter by 1827. The family name Degataga translates to standing firm when rendered into English. Watie learned to read and write English at the Moravian mission school in Spring Place alongside his brothers Gallagina and Thomas. He occasionally wrote articles for the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper while his older brother Elias served as editor from 1828 to 1832. This publication appeared in both Cherokee and English before Georgia militia destroyed its press offices in 1832.

  • Watie signed the Treaty of New Echota in 1835 along with his brother Elias Boudinot and uncle Major Ridge. Most of the tribe opposed this agreement which led to their removal to Indian Territory. On the 22nd of June 1839 members of the Cherokee government sentenced these men to death for giving up tribal lands. Only Stand Watie survived the execution that killed his brother Elias and cousin John Ridge. In 1842 Watie encountered James Foreman whom he recognized as one of his uncle's executioners and killed him. Ross supporters executed Stand's brother Thomas Watie in retaliation during 1845. Watie was acquitted by the Cherokee at trial in the 1850s on grounds of self-defense.

  • Watie led raids that captured Federal wagon trains worth approximately $1 million during the Second Battle of Cabin Creek on the 19th of September 1864. Union reports stated his cavalry killed all Negroes they could find including wounded men at Wagoner Oklahoma. Most Cherokee now supported the Union so Watie's family and Confederate allies took refuge in Rusk and Smith counties of east Texas. The Confederate Army placed him in command of the Indian Division of Indian Territory in February 1865. By then Confederates could no longer fight effectively in the territory. On the 23rd of June 1865 at Doaksville Watie signed a cease-fire agreement with Union representatives

  • for his command.

    After demobilization in September 1865 Watie went to Texas to see his wife Sallie and mourn their son Comisky who died at age 15. He joined the Southern Treaty Commission which renegotiated treaties with the United States. The resulting treaty required the Cherokee to free their slaves and assigned land in the Canadian addition to Freedmen. Watie had gone into exile in the Choctaw Nation before returning shortly after Lewis Downing's election as new chief. He tried to stay out of politics and rebuild his fortunes at Honey Creek where he died on the 9th of September 1871. He was buried in Polson's Cemetery in Delaware County Oklahoma

  • as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

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Common questions

When and where was Stand Watie born?

Stand Watie was born on the 12th of December 1806 at Oothcaloga in the Cherokee Nation. His family name Degataga translates to standing firm when rendered into English.

Why did Stand Watie sign the Treaty of New Echota in 1835?

Stand Watie signed the Treaty of New Echota in 1835 along with his brother Elias Boudinot and uncle Major Ridge despite most of the tribe opposing this agreement. This action led to their removal to Indian Territory and resulted in a death sentence for these men by members of the Cherokee government on the 22nd of June 1839.

What happened during the Second Battle of Cabin Creek involving Stand Watie?

Stand Watie led raids that captured Federal wagon trains worth approximately $1 million during the Second Battle of Cabin Creek on the 19th of September 1864. Union reports stated his cavalry killed all Negroes they could find including wounded men at Wagoner Oklahoma.

How did Stand Watie end his military service as a Confederate general?

Stand Watie signed a cease-fire agreement with Union representatives for his command on the 23rd of June 1865 at Doaksville. He was placed in command of the Indian Division of Indian Territory in February 1865 when Confederates could no longer fight effectively in the territory.

Where is Stand Watie buried and what were his final years like?

Stand Watie died on the 9th of September 1871 at Honey Creek after trying to stay out of politics and rebuild his fortunes. He was buried in Polson's Cemetery in Delaware County Oklahoma as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation following his return from exile in the Choctaw Nation.

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