The Battle of Round Mountain
category : Battlesites
Opothleyoholo, the Federal sympathizing Indian chief known as "old Gouge," was on an escape track toward the safety of the Kansas border when his route took his party by the prominent "Round Mounds" in Indian Territory. Close on his heels were the pursuing Confederate forces of General Douglas Cooper. On November 19, 1861 at four o'clock in the afternoon Colonel McIntosh of the Creek and Seminole regiment spotted smoke on the horizon. The 4th Texas however, spurred ahead and caught the Federal Indians at the surrounding tree line at the foot of the Round Mounds. By this time it was almost completely dark.
The Texas Confederates formed a line of battle and advanced. A sharp fight ensued with the Texans firing into the dark tree line and the Federal Indians returning fire. The Confederates began taking fire from the left and right as well. They were forced to withdraw to a better position on the prairie. The Federal Indians promptly set the prairie grass on fire with burning bushes dragged behind their ponies.
The Confederates now began retreating in earnest. Several wagons and mules were lost in the fire. The rebels withdrew South across the river and went into camp. The next day the wounded were attended to and the dead buried. A roll call revealed that 20 soldiers were missing along with their flag. The Confederates returned to the battle site and found among the debris of the fleeing Federal Indians the bodies of their soldiers. So ended the Battle of Round Mountain.
Each February visit the Annual Winter Encampment and Battle of Round Mountain Reenactment.
Our Website:www.geocities.com/round_mtn/
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