Surrender of General Stand Watie
by Dennis Parker
Stand Watie was the only American Indian to attain the rank of Brigadier General during the Civil War, and was the last Confederate General to surrender. He was born in Georgia in 1806. When the federal government began moving Cherokees from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to a home west of the Mississippi, Stand Watie was one of those who supported the move. As a signer of the treaty of New Echota in 1836, which provided for removal of Cherokees to the west, Stand Watie gained enmity of those opposed.
Among the battles in which he participated were Wilson Creek, Bird Creek, Pea Ridge and Cabin Creek. In the battle of Cabin Creek, the Confederates routed the Union soldiers and captured about three hundred wagons loaded with supplies. This enabled the destitute Indian Confederates to continue in the war for a short time. Watie surrendered his command to Peter Pitchlynn at Doaksville near Fort Towson on June 23, 1865. He died September 9, 1871 near Grove, Oklahoma. He was considered by many to be a man of courage, leadership and loyalty.
Surrender of General Stand Watie by Dennis Parker was dedicated on May 2, 2000. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.
The painting is located outside 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
Dennis
Parker
feels his best work is done working out of doors from life or in front of a model."Painting on the spot, I feel I get
more of a sense of light and color, and the interaction with live impressions
gives the painting a freshness that is hard to capture any other way," said Parker.
He studied three years as an apprentice under artist Richard Goetz. Later, while attending the New York Art Student's League and the New York Academy of Art, Dennis' instructors included such notable artists as Daniel Green, David Laffel and Ted Jacobs. He has also studied individually with Joe Beeler and Albert Handell.
Dennis has participated in national shows winning honors for both pastels and oils. He also teaches and demonstrates his art throughout the state.