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I want to share a few thoughts on why I'm loving #AlbertPike eating dirt. It's probably not for the reasons you think. Yes, he was a Confederate general (a terrible one). But on the outset of the Civil War, Pike played a role in dragging several Native nations into the war. 1/
In 1861, Indian Territory (now OK) held the Five Tribes: Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole. These tribes enjoyed limited sovereignty, were slaveowning, and deeply reliant upon U.S. money. The U.S. bounced at war's start, leaving the Indians alone. 2/
Enter Albert Pike, a clever/pompous Arkansas lawyer who's been appointed commissioner to the Five Tribes by the CSA. He's represented several tribes legally before. Pike starts with the Cherokee, but is told to buzz off by Chief John Ross who prefers neutrality. 3/
Pike gets the Choctaw/Chickasaw on board with relative ease. These nations have powerful slaveholding interests. They also border Texas, and TX has made clear they should ally with the South...or else. Pike then proceeds to Creek Nation. 4/
The Creeks are deeply divided by the prospect of war. Nearly a 50/50 split. In fact, at the moment Pike arrives, several prominent pro-neutral Creeks are out of town trying to convince other Indians to stay out of the war at Antelope Hills. This isn't luck...it's planned. 5/
Pike knows many Creeks favor neutrality, but he also knows the political opposition is out of town. He brags about this later: "I defeated all that [neutrality] by treating with the Creeks at the very time that their delegates were at the Antelope Hills in council." 6/
So while the neutral Creeks are absent, Pike negotiates a treaty with pro-Confederate Creeks. He offers them a "sweet" deal, including protection of slavery and representation in CS Congress. But you need the full tribe's permission. When the neutral Creeks return, they balk. 7/
Pike simply cannot convince these neutral Creeks to sign the treaty. In fact, they walk out of the Creek National Council in protest. In what is to me fraud reminiscent of the 1820s/1830s, Pike and the pro-CS Creeks sign the treaty anyway. 8/
In fact, they add the names of a few walkouts to make the whole things seem more legit. To be clear, probably half the Creek tribe supported the CSA...but half did not. Those Creeks who didn't felt the conflict a "white man's war" and feared the result. 9/
Having "negotiated" with the Creeks, Pike essentially pulls the same play with the Seminoles, signing a Confederate treaty despite serious internal resistance. Rumors swirled (though never proven) Pike greased a few palms, too. 10/
Pike eventually gets the Cherokees to side with the CS (another story entirely). He gets rewarded with a brigadier's star. But all of this backfires wildly on Pike and the CSA. The pro-neutral Creeks and Seminoles decide to resist, first politically then militarily. 11/
They reject the CS treaties, gathering under Creek chief Opothleyahola and mobilizing an army of perhaps 6,000. Included were Creeks, Seminoles, some 500 African-Americans (free and runaway), and others. They ask the U.S. for help (and of course don't get it). 12/
In the winter of 1861, these "Loyal Indians" fight a three battle campaign against the Confederacy and are ultimately driven into Kansan exile. In this campaign, Creeks fought Creeks, etc. Pike misses all this b/c he's in Richmond wining and dining through the winter. 13/
In 1862, however, Pike's military incompetence is revealed. Has no control of his men at Pea Ridge. Completely fails to protect Indian Territory from U.S. invasion/liberation. Feuds with his boss to the point of imprisonment. Resigns. 14/
To my understanding, he gets some postwar fame as a Freemason, who build the statue in #WashingtonDC that went down yesterday. But to me, Pike's legacy is one of a fraudulent diplomat and bumbling military commander. Good riddance. Fin! #twitterstorians
Actually, if you want to know more, check out Clarissa Confer, Mary Jane Warde, W. Craig Gaines, Carolyn Ross Johnston, Lela McBride, and others I'm forgetting. Also...me (my dissertation)! Standard Pike bio is by Walter Brown (it's a doorstopper).
