Just north of Checotah, Oklahoma (home of American Idol winner Carrie Underwood), Honey Springs Battlefield State Park preserves the scene of the battle that some have called the "Gettysburg of the West."
Fought on July 17, 1863, the Battle of Honey Springs was a critical Union victory that halted Confederate plans to retake the northern half of what was then called Indian Territory.
A force of 3,000 Federals with 12 pieces of artillery attacked a large force of Confederates along Elk Creek. In a fight that lasted most of the day, the Southern troops were finally forced to withdraw.
The site today is well-preserved and the state park offers interpretive trails, a tour road, memorial area, visitor center and picnic tables.
Our new Honey Springs pages are now online, so I hope you will take a few minutes to check them out at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/honeysprings1.
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