- Joined
- Apr 8, 2018
- Location
- Coffeeville, TX
In February 1864, Union Troops set out from Fort Gibson in an attempt to clean out the Indian Territory of Confederates, offer amnesty to Tribes if they would switch sides, gain new recruits, and if possible raid North Texas. The force was made of troops from the 14th Kansas Cavalry, a battalion of Kansas infantry, a couple howitzers, and the 3rd Indian Home Guard under the command of Colonel William A. Philips.
Before setting out, Philips had this to say to his men:
"Soldiers! I take you with me to clean out the Indian Nation south of the (Arkansas) river and drive away and destroy rebels. Let me say a few words to you that you are not to forget... Those who are still in arms are rebels, and ought to die. Do not kill a prisoner after he has surrendered. But I do not ask you to take prisoners. I ask you to make your footsteps severe and terrible...."
The rest of his speech and an archived article about the campaign and resulting battle, the Battle of Middle Boggy Depot, can be read here:
I miss Civil War Album...
But I'm curious about what everyone thinks about this little speech. I think Col. Philips was a little brutal, but then again the war was brutal and personal in places like Indian Territory, Arkansas and Missouri.
Before setting out, Philips had this to say to his men:
"Soldiers! I take you with me to clean out the Indian Nation south of the (Arkansas) river and drive away and destroy rebels. Let me say a few words to you that you are not to forget... Those who are still in arms are rebels, and ought to die. Do not kill a prisoner after he has surrendered. But I do not ask you to take prisoners. I ask you to make your footsteps severe and terrible...."
The rest of his speech and an archived article about the campaign and resulting battle, the Battle of Middle Boggy Depot, can be read here:
I miss Civil War Album...
But I'm curious about what everyone thinks about this little speech. I think Col. Philips was a little brutal, but then again the war was brutal and personal in places like Indian Territory, Arkansas and Missouri.