The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 93, July 1989 - April, 1990 Page: 428
598 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
428 Southwestern Historical Quarterly
(Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1988. Pp. xvii+ 81..
Preface, introduction, illustrations, map, notes, bibliography, in-
dex. $16.95.)
Unique because of its detailed inside view of Creek history, George
Washington Grayson's autobiography first came to the attention of his-
torians in the mid-1930s when Grayson's daughter, Eloise G. Smock,
approached Edward Everett Dale for help in preparing the manuscript
for publication. Although Dale started work on the project, the out-
break of World War II precluded completion of the work. A quarter of
a century later, LeRoy H. Fischer "rediscovered" a copy of the autobi-
ography. Although Fischer planned to publish the manuscript as a part
of his extensive studies of the Civil War in Indian Territory, circum-
stances again intervened to stall the project. A quarter of a century
later, Baird finally brought Grayson's work to publication.
A remarkable 197-page handwritten account of Creek politics and
life for more than four decades, beginning with Grayson's birth in
1843, as well as an extensive genealogy of the Grayson family dating
from 1796, the autobiography is unique in the insight it offers into in-
ternal Creek affairs. Of particular interest is Grayson's service during
the Civil War. With the outbreak of fighting, he enlisted as a private in
Company K, Second Creek Regiment, CSA. However, because of his
superior education-Grayson had attended Arkansas College as a
youth-he quickly was commissioned a captain and given command of
the company. His accounts of his military campaigns offer a vivid de-
scription of two of the Southern Indians' most notable victories, the
capture of theJ. R. Williams and the Second Battle of Cabin Creek, and
its most staggering defeat, the Battle of Honey Springs. Of equal inter-
est are Grayson's descriptions of the plight of the Confederate soldier
in the Trans-Mississippi and the difficulties of the Southern supporters
from Indian Territory who were forced to flee their home and spend
most of the war in makeshift refugee camps along the Red River.
Taking an active role in post-Civil War Creek politics, Grayson be-
came a prominent figure in the Creek Constitutional Party. In addition,
he served first as clerk and later as secretary of the Indian International
Council, treasurer of the Creek Nation, and a member of the Creek
House of Warriors. He also unsuccessfully campaigned for second
chief of the Creek Nation in the 1899 election. During the Creek Peach
War, Grayson was dispatched to Washington, D.C., to solicit aid to sup-
press the rebellion and was responsible for the dispatch of federal
troops to arrest the insurgents.
Baird has divided Grayson's manuscript into carefully organized
chapters, added numerous footnotes to clarify points, and made the
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 93, July 1989 - April, 1990, periodical, 1990; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101213/m1/484/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.