Albert Pike
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch November 18, 1861:
Arrival of Gen. Albert Pike–his success in the West.
Gen. Albert Pike, of Arkansas, arrived in Richmond last Saturday, on business connected with his labors among the Indian nations of the West as Commissioner of the Confederate States. His mission, thus far has proved an entire success, and favorable treaties have been made with all the numerous and powerful tribes scattered through the vast territory lying between Kansas and New Mexico. They have now four regiments of troops in the field, and are making common cause with the South. The advantage of such an alliance at this time is incalculable, and the ultimate results will be no less important. The enmity of these Indians in such an emergency as the present, would have been a source of perpetual annoyance and injury. The hazardous and laborious undertaking of Gen. Pike, and its successful accomplishment, entitle him to the highest praise and gratitude.
Albert Pike was born in Boston in 1809 but lived mostly in Arkansas from 1833 until at least the Civil War. As a lawyer Pike
… made several contacts among the Native American tribes in the area, at one point negotiating an $800,000 settlement between the Creeks and other tribes and the federal government. This relationship was to influence the course of his Civil War service. At the beginning of the war, Pike was appointed as Confederate envoy to the Native Americans. In this capacity he negotiated several treaties, one of the most important being with Cherokee chief John Ross, which was concluded in 1861.
Pike was commissioned as a brigadier general on November 22, 1861, and given a command in the Indian Territory. With Gen. Ben McCulloch, Pike trained three Confederate regiments of Indian cavalry, most of whom belonged to the “civilized tribes”, whose loyalty to the Confederacy was variable. …
You can read more about Pike at Civil War Studies and Bits of Blue and Gray.
Pike Statue in Washington, D.C.
Cherokee Confederate reunion in New Orleans in 1903
