Battle of Chustenahlah in Indian Territory

On December 26, 1862 during severe cold, the Confederates moved toward the strong hold of Opothle Yahola who had Creek horsemen and Seminole braves guarding his strong hold. The place was known as Chustenahlah. It meaning was derived from in the Cherokee tongue, "a shoal in a Stream"

The Creeks were located upon a ridge and a charge was not considered a good military move by any standards. However, MacIntosh, the Confederate commander, ordered one anyway. The 3rd Texas was to charge up the bluff. The 11th Texas followed the defile up one side and make ready for the signal while the 6th circled to the right and wait for the signal. At the signal of the bugle, they all converged. The face of the bluff was too steep for the horses and companies A and B of the 3rd Texas were dismounted and took to the hill on foot. Arrows and boulders rained down but incredible the 3rd Texas made it to the top. Opothleyahola?s forces were routed. There was some fierce fighting as the Creeks fled northward into the hills. Some of the Confederates engaged in the battle took scalps of the fallen Indians as their enemy would have done the same to them.

The 3rd Texas Cavalry lost five dead including Lieutenant Ben Durham, former sheriff of Anderson County. Chief Opothleyahola lost some 250 braves, and had captured 160 women, 21 former slaves, thirty wagons, seven yoke of oxen, five hundred ponies and several hundred heads of cattle.