A number of Missouri "contraband" served with the 1st and 2nd Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments (Colored). The 1st Kansas (later 79th USCT) were in the midst of the Engagement at Cabin Creek, Indian Territory, (1-2 July 1863) and the Engagement at Honey Springs, I.T., (17 July 1863). These were among the earlier "hostile encounters" in which African-Americans saw action as more than wagoneers and porters.

There are two companies of the 1st Kansas organized in Oklahoma and one was located in Kansas City with elements from Topeka and other Kansas communities.

There will be a 1st Kansas presence at the annual "Spring Muster" held at Honey Springs Battlefield Historic Site on 8th March 2008 and again during the triennial reenactment here on 27-28 September 2008.

We have several programs during the course of the year which feature black reenactors as both Honey Springs and nearby Fort Gibson National Historic Landmark have membes of the permanent staff who provide such interpretive services.

All y'all come see us! (Cabin Creek battlefield, Honey Springs Battlefield, and Fort Gibson will be featured as one of the Friday bus tours during the 2008 annual meeting of the Civil War Preservation Trust which meets in Springfield, 17-20 April 2008.)

Ralph Jones, Superintendent
Honey Springs Battlefield
1863 Honey Springs Btlfld. Rd.
Checotah, OK 74426-6301
918-473-5572
ralphjones@okhistory.org