Federal Allies

Often, the defense of freedom required more than words. Throughout 1846-49, the Army was called into action to rescue Black Seminoles from slaving parties on the reservations. Sometimes the slavers dared to come onto the grounds of Fort Gibson itself. August 1, 1846 was an all too typical day, as described by Lieutenant Kirkham:

"[A] few days ago three men came & carried off a boy living in and under the protection of the Post, he was recovered by a party of Dragoons sent after them, but it keeps up a constant state of excitement & annoyance among the poor people."