Delaware Indians, Acting as Scouts for the National Army in the West

Well-dressed Delaware scouts of the Union Army.

This fascinating illustration shows several Delaware Indians sitting around a campfire, presumably part of the larger Union Army camp operating in the trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. It was originally published as part of the December 6, 1862 issue of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, though the name ‘Special Artist’ on whose work it is based is unfortunately obscured.

The scouts are shown wearing an unusual assortment of garments – possibly reflecting efforts to maintain traditional identity in the face of social pressure to conform to ‘American’ standards of dress. According to an article in the American Indian Magazine, “The Delawares of Kansas and Indian Territory joined the Union Army in extraordinary numbers. Out of a total of 201 eligible Delaware males between 18 and 45 years of age in 1862, 170 volunteered for service.”

Source: American Indian Magazine;