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Welcome to the Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board.

This site and the upcoming "Indian Territory in the Civil War" website are a joint-effort of Jim Martin, a lifelong, amateur Civil War historian and Ken Martin, owner of the extremely popular "History of the Cherokee" website at http://cherokeehistory.com . There are many excellent sites on the internet with the topic of "The Civil War in Indian Territory". This message board is offered to provide a resource for genealogical and historical research, while the website will attempt to broaden and deepen the understanding of the pivotal role played by the Indian Territory in the Civil War and the far ranging and costly contribution of Indian Territory soldiers to its outcome.

This discussion board is dedicated not only to battles, skirmishes and events, which occurred in the Indian Territory. Nor is it limited to soldiers and civilians from the Indian Territory. Any units from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin, etc. which fought in the Indian Territory may be discussed on this site. In addition, those engagements which occurred outside of the Indian Territory and included Native-American units from the Indian Territory will be discussed here, such as, the 1st Battle of Newtonia, MO, Pea Ridge, Poison Springs, Prairie Grove, AR and others. Finally, postings regarding the participation of Native-Americans in other theaters of the war are permitted and should the level of interest be sufficient, a new message board will be offered for this broader discussion.

This is a "History Only" site. The placement of messages regarding highly-charged political and/or social issues cannot be allowed. This is not meant to limit anyone's "freedom of speech". This rule is meant to make everyone feel welcome and to increase the value of this site by the inclusion of authors, National Park Service historians, teachers, professors, professional and amateur historians, participants in "Living History" and genealogists.

I hope it's unnecessary to say that contentious, insulting or profane messages will be removed.

This is NOT a "Confederate" or "Native-American" only site. All serious researchers of Union, Confederate, African-American, Hispanic, Native-American and other units are welcomed to this site.

I believe the strength of this message board and its value will be due to the mix of contributors from many different backgrounds and with many different interests and perspectives. The genealogists will find that the historians, educators and authors have years of experience, insight and access to voluminous resources to answer their questions. The authors will find that the genealogists and amateur historians have unpublished letters, diaries, anecdotes, family stories, photographs and other information, which will enhance their knowledge of their subject and improve their resulting book or article. For the re-enactors of living history you may find your answers here to improve your historic impression. And last of all, for the amateur historian like me, I can pursue the unending questions of why they fought, where they fought and how these men, and the families they left behind, could suffer so much for their ideals and beliefs.

Ken and I will do everything possible to enhance the quality of this site. Please be aware, that this is a passionate hobby for both of us, so we cannot answer all of your emailed genealogy and history questions. Your best chance to receive the answer you're looking for, is to post your question on the message board, where experts on a multitude of subjects can review and respond to your questions. I think, you'll be amazed at the amount and the quality of the information you receive, from our expert resources. They will include historians, professors, authors and lifelong students of what many believe was the pivotal moment in America's history.

Your contributions to the new "Indian Territory in the Civil War" website are most welcomed and appreciated. Should you contribute to the ITCW site you will be properly credited and thanked for your efforts.

Thank you again for coming to the site. If you find it useful, please tell your friends and associates.

Sincerely,

Jim Martin
Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

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