Original Antique Civil War Topographical Map Chickasaw & Choctaw Nation

Description

Original Antique Civil War Topographical Map Sheet XXIV
Chickasaw & Choctaw Nations
and a part of Texas & western Arkansas
It is an
Original lithograph map Plate CLIX(159) from
"The Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies":
Commissioned by Resolution of Congress May 19, 1864,
in accordance to serve as the official historical record of the Civil War.
Chickasaw Nation
The Chickasaw people moved to Indian Territory during the "Great Removal," on what was called the "Trail of Tears."  Other tribes forced to relocate were the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole, called the "Five Civilized Tribes" because of their highly developed ruling systems.  The Chickasaws were one of the last to move.  In 1837, the Treaty of Doaksville called for the resettlement of the Chickasaws among the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory.  In 1856, the Chickasaws, in order to restore direct authority over their governmental affairs, separated from the Choctaws and formed their own government.
Tribal leaders established the capital at Tishomingo, adopted a constitution and organized executive, legislative and judicial departments of government with the offices filled by popular election.  At the outbreak of the Civil War, the Chickasaws signed an alliance with the South and raised troops to fight with the Confederacy.  The respected Choctaw/Chickasaw Mounted Regiment, headquartered at Fort Washita, fought some of the last battles of the Civil War.  Although suffering hardships after the defeat of the Confederacy, the tribe regained prosperity.  Many Chickasaws became successful farmers and ranchers.  Chickasaws built some of the first schools, banks, and businesses in Indian Territory.
After Oklahoma statehood in 1907, the President of the United States appointed the principal officers of the Chickasaw Nation.  In 1970, Congress enacted legislation allowing the Five Civilized Tribes to elect their principal officers.  In 1983, a new Chickasaw constitution was adopted.
Choctaw Nation
In early February 1861, the Choctaw Nation's General Council instructed their delegates in Washington City to deposit their invested funds in southern banks, if necessary. A few days later, the council elected 12 delegates to meet with the Chickasaw at Boggy Depot, Choctaw Nation. In April, Choctaw officials at Washington City assured Unionist that the Choctaw Nation was to remain neutral. However, by June 1861 the Choctaw Nation had declared itself free and independent and appointed commissioners to make an alliance with the Confederacy.
Several reasons explain why the Indians sided with the Confederacy: (1) They believed the United States was on the verge of collapse (2) They were neglected by the United States,(3) William H. Seward, the United States Secretary of State, advocated the seizing of Indian lands,(4) Their main agent was an advocate for the South, and their laws supported slavery.
The Atlas from which this plate was taken was never publicly sold but exclusively distributed to federal depositories, universities, museums and various public institutions until they were
withdrawn from these institutions
and entered the public domain years later.
The atlas still remains
the definitive source of Civil War information available.
It was published between 1891 and 1895
This lithograph
CLIX(159)
was produced in 1893 by in New York by Julius Bien & Co.
Plate size: 29 1/2" x 18 1/2"
Image size: 27 1/4 x 16 3/8"