Battle of Round Mountain - November 19, 1861

by Wayne Cooper

The battle of Round Mountain is listed in the "Official Records of the Civil War" as the first battle fought in the Indian Territory. 1400 Confederates, under the command of Colonel Douglas H. Cooper, First Choctaw and Chickasaw Regiment, were pursuing roughly 9000 Loyalist civilians led by Opothleyahola, a famous Upper Creek leader. These civilians represented men, women and children of all ages from tribes living in the Indian Territory. They were trying to avoid being pulled into an alliance with the Confederacy and chose to flee their homes for the protection of Union forces in Kansas.

A series of holding actions were fought through the day of November 19, 1861. About sunset, the Confederates forward detachment pursued Loyalist scouts into timberlines skirting the edge of two creeks that formed a horseshoe at the foot of a hill called Round Mountain. The scene in the painting portrays the action that followed. Some 70 Confederates attempted to follow the scouts into the timberlines, but were immediately subjected to heavy fire and forced to retreat. The battle continued into the night with the Confederates and Loyalists breaking off final contact in the early hours of the morning of November 20th.

Battle of Round Mountain - November 19, 1861 by Wayne Cooper was dedicated on May 18, 1998. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.

The painting is located inside the Oklahoma State Senate lounge on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be viewed daily from 8:30-5:30 when the Senate is not in session.

The Artist

Wayne Cooper is an acknowledged national painter known for his portrayals of Western and American Indian subjects. He comes from a background of Indian heritage and was raised on a small ranch gaining first hand knowledge of Oklahoma ranch life.

Cooper is listed in Artists USA, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in American Art, International Who’s Who in Art and Antiques, Universal Directory of the Art and Personalities of the Americas, and others.

His works consist of oils, water colors, charcoals, pencil, sculpture (bronzes) and lithographs. His works are held in many private and public collections worldwide, including the halls of the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives.