Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service honoring the 161st anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah on Saturday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m.

The memorial service will be held outside on the lawn of the visitor center. This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Kristen Oertel, chair of history at the University of Tulsa.

The service commemorates the largest of approximately 107 documented Civil War military engagements throughout Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.

The engagement took place on July 17, 1863, just two weeks after the famous Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Approximately 9,000 Union and Confederate troops, mostly Native and African Americans, were involved in the Battle of Honey Springs. Of those, approximately 200 total casualties were suffered. After a decisive Union victory, Confederates lost control of Indian Territory north of the Arkansas River.

The Union victory also ensured Federal control of Fort Gibson in Indian Territory and Fort Smith in Arkansas.

For more information regarding the memorial service and Honey Springs Battlefield call 918-617-7125. You can also email honeysprings@history. ok.gov or adam.lynn@history.ok.gov.

Honey Springs Battlefield is located east of US Highway 69 between Oktaha and Rentiesville. The Visitor Center is located on a hill near the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville. Take the second left after reaching the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Museum (driving from the west).