Press Release
January 30, 2025
Contact: Molly Hutchins
Honey Springs Battlefield, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-617-7125
honeysprings@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/honeysprings
Honey Springs Battlefield to Host “An Afternoon With Gen. Blunt” in February
CHECOTAH, Okla. — On Saturday, February 15, from 1-2 p.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host living historian Jim Spillars, who will portray Gen. James Blunt. Spillars will give a presentation on Blunt’s leadership during the Battle at Honey Springs, which was the largest of more than 107 documented hostile encounters in Indian Territory. He will be dressed in period Civil War attire for this event.
Gen. Blunt was a ship captain, physician and abolitionist. He led Indigenous and Black troops to victory at the Battle of Honey Springs, helping to bring a portion of Indian Territory under Union control.
Jim Spillars is the former president of the Washington County Historical Society in Arkansas and has dedicated many years to studying and portraying Gen. Blunt.
For more information, call 918-617-7125 or email honeysprings@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).
Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
###
Editor’s Note: Photos of Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center are available upon request.
