Stone Gardens: Redbird “Tor-gu-wah” Sixkiller was a notable in the Saline District during the Civil War
- Dennis McCaslin
- Jun 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Lieutenant Redbird “Tor-gu-wah” Sixkiller’s life was one of persistence, faith, and dedication to his people. Born in 1807 in the Cherokee Nation of Georgia, he lived 91 years and four months, passing in 1898 alongside his wife, Elizabeth Foreman--both dying within 36 hours of each other.
His final resting place in Sixkiller Cemetery in Locust Grove stands as a tribute to his legacy, though at the time of his passing, the area was known as the Saline District rather than Mayes County.
Redbird was a devoted Presbyterian, a faith that guided him through the turbulent years of Cherokee displacement and conflict. He witnessed the signing of the 1819 Cherokee Treaty as a young boy, an event that deepened his understanding of his nation’s struggles.
Later, during the Civil War, he aligned himself with the Union, serving as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Indian Home Guard. Though many Cherokee initially sided with the Confederacy, Redbird and other "Loyal" Cherokee fled persecution, regrouped in Kansas and Missouri, and fought to reclaim their lands, ensuring the survival of their people.
Beyond his service in battle, Redbird was a farmer of some renown. He cultivated the land with care, securing a livelihood for his family and contributing to the Cherokee community’s agricultural traditions. His leadership extended beyond warfare--he was a patriarch, marrying four times and raising a family deeply rooted in Cherokee heritage.
His children, including Captain Samuel Sixkille, carried forward his legacy, serving as lawmen, leaders, and keepers of tradition. Samuel Sixkiller, a city marshal, was killed in an ambush in Muskogee the day before Christmas in 18866.
Today, Sixkiller Cemetery remains a place of reverence, with weathered stones standing as reminders of a life well-lived.
Redbird rests alongside Elizabeth and his kin, surrounded by the land he fought to protect.
His siblings--Cricket, Frog, and Soldier--bear names that reflect a time when Cherokee nicknames told stories all their own, adding layers to the rich history of his lineage.
Redbird’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and dedication to his people. He bridged the struggles of his nation with personal resilience, leaving behind a family whose impact would echo through generations.
`His stone garden in Locust Grove is more than a burial site--it is a space for reflection, where history speaks through the earth, honoring a man whose steadfast spirit ensured that the Cherokee people endured and thrived.
