The Indian Nations in the Civil War: My Thoughts on Caught in the Maelstrom by Clint Crowe

Clint Crowe, Caught in The Maelstrom: The Indian Nations in the Civil War, 1861-1865 (Savas Beatie, 2019).

Several weeks ago a had an engaging conversation with historian Megan Kate Nelson about her latest book, The Three Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West. She observed (and I will paraphrase) that as students of the Civil War, we focus on the antebellum West: the realities of Americans’ inexorable push westward and the sectional conflict over future of slavery that led to secession and ultimately war. Then, we tend to shift our attention to the East - where most of the fighting took place. I had to admit that I was guilty as charged…in my own Civil War class these past years I have seldom ventured down the road that leads west of the Mississippi River. Time constraints limit what I can and cannot discuss…alas. But Megan made a compelling argument that there was a good deal of value to studying the West and the Civil War, and next year I plan to adjust accordingly. Furthermore, my discussion illuminated another rather salient shortcoming in the scope of my Civil War course: I do not have a section on Native Americans and the war. At the risk of sounding like I am making excuses…I never really learned that much about how the various Native American Nations engaged, sided with, or fought against Union or Confederate Armies…but as it is my responsibility as a teacher to offer as comprehensive of a picture as I am capable…I am planning on getting to work this summer and making the long-overdue adjustment.

Which brings me to today’s topic. Now, you all know that I spend a lot of time reading through new scholarship to keep my classes fresh, especially my Civil War class. And as part of the development of a section on the Trans-Mississippi Theater that I plan on debuting next year, I have taken a very keen interest in Clint Crowe’s new book: Caught in the Maelstrom: The Indian Nations in the Civil War, 1861-1865.

Crowe’s work underscores the vast complexities in the so-called Indian Territories west of the Mississippi River, a topic which will surely be riveting for students whose interest leads them to the intricacies of choosing sides, as it were, or of the perspectives of the war through a Native American lens. Of course, the allegiances of Native American Nations to their own communities takes center stage here - and readers will find just how intricate relations were with those outside of specific Nations. Consider the situation each Native American Nation faced as war came to their territories: this war could (and often did) upset delicate relations beyond the primary warring parties, and the war also carried with it the possibility that negotiated treaties between Native American Nations and the United States government might be nullified. With this in mind, representatives of some Native American Nations found it necessary to weigh their options with the newly minted Confederate States government. As such, this book provides an excellent study in diplomacy.

Crowe also provides an intriguing study in human agency. Both the Lincoln and Davis administrations had to react to decisions made beyond their immediate control. And while we get the sense that Native American Nations remained marginalized in the context of American history broadly defined, they still drive the narrative here. Many have questioned (and continue to question) whether or not Native American Nations and their actions (or even presence) directed or influenced Union or Confederate policy. This book helps us tackle that question in meaningful ways.

I’ll admit that I raised an eyebrow more than once at Crowe’s use of the terms “mixed-bloods” and “full bloods” throughout the book, and how one’s race (perceived or otherwise) seems to be the determining factor with both individual and communal alliances. It’s not that I am overly sensitive (ugh) and shudder at the sight of potentially racially charged language in works of scholarship. Oh please. But…I would still be interested in how students react to such terminology conceivably linking race to action and action to loyalties.

All said and done I found this to be a compelling book from an independent publishing company - Savas Beatie - that I hold in very high regard. The hallmark of good a history is one that promotes further discussion and investigation. I suspect that come fall semester, when I discuss these topics for the first time with my advanced Civil War students (finally), Caught in the Maelstrom will prove to be a valuable resource indeed.

With compliments,

Keith

PS - for more on new scholarship in the classroom, be sure to listen to The Rogue Historian podcast, where I interview top scholars in the field of American history (and sometimes other stuff too…). Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app so you never ever ever ever miss a show.