In 1861 the 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles was organized under the command of Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian agent Douglas H. Cooper. After his promotion to brigadier general, the regiment served under Choctaw Col. Tandy Walker. The regiment was involved in the campaign against Creek leader Opothleyahola at Round Mountain, Chusto-Talasah, and Chustenalah. They also were engaged at Bayou Menard and Old Fort Wayne in Indian Territory before the action at Honey Springs. Pvt. R. Jackson Ross of Company B wrote that the men fought well considering the number they faced, but were compelled to retreat at last, while the Federals went back to Gibson and people remained in good spirits and hopeful that they would yet whip them and drive them from their country.