Image of an Osage warrior in native dress; the Osage were originally native to Kentucky, but relocated to the Kansas-Oklahoma area after years of fighting with the Iroquois.
Between June 22nd and July 18, 1862, the 2nd Regiment, Indian Home Guard was organized at Big Creek and Five Mile Creek, Kansas, under the command of Colonel John Ritchie. The regiment consisted of one company each of Delaware, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Seneca and Shawnee and two companies each of Osage and Cherokee.
The 2nd Regiment saw duty in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory, including the battles of Cane Hill on November 28 and Prairie Grove, Arkansas on December 7, 1862.
They were mustered out of service on May 31, 1865.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31894
