Warren Awarded UDC's Davis Gold Medal for History

August 17, 2010

TULSA, Okla. -- Steven L. Warren was recently awarded the United Daughters of the Confederacy's Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal for history.

Warren was nominated for the medal by the organization's Cowskin Prairie chapter for his television documentary Last Raid at Cabin Creek, and for his book, Brilliant Victory: The Second Civil War Battle of Cabin Creek, Indian Territory.

Both the documentary and the book chronicle the last Confederate offensive into northeast Indian Territory A ragtag force of Texans and Native Americans led by Confederate Gens. Richard M. Gano and Stand Watie, surprised and captured a 300-wagon Union supply train that was bound from Fort Scott, Kansas to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory at Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation on September 19, 1864. The Confederates were able to get away with 130 wagons and more than 1,800 horses and mules. The supplies taken in the raid were later estimated to be worth more than $1.5 million.

The medal presentation was made by chapter president Carrie A. Cook at a luncheon preceding the start of the UDC's annual statewide convention in Tulsa, Okla.

The Jefferson Davis Gold Medal was adopted by the UDC in 1941 and remains one of the most prestigious awards given by the organization.

During the presentation, Fredrea Cook, the chapter's historian, noted that Warren's nomination for the medal was quickly approved by the UDC's Historian General.

A native of Claremore, Warren received his M.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. degree from the University of Tulsa.

Warren was a freelance sports writer for the Claremore Progress newspaper while still attending Claremore High School. Warren also attended Verdigris Schools.

He has worked for several television stations in Tulsa and Spokane, Wash., as a commercial producer and as a web producer. Currently, Warren is an Internet news producer for CBNNews.com, the news division of the Christian Broadcasting Network headquartered in Va. Beach, Va.

Warren continues to research and write on the American Civil War. He has made presentations to historical, fraternal and genealogical organizations across the nation. He is a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Friends of Cabin Creek Battlefield and the Friends of the Hunley and the Company of Military Historians.

Warren’s documentary, Last Raid at Cabin Creek has garnered numerous awards, including kudos from the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the American Association for State and Local History. The documentary is available on DVD online through Amazon.com. His book is available through the Gregath Publishing Company's online catalog located on the Internet at http:/www.gregathcompany.com/cabincreek.

Operated by the Friends of Cabin Creek and the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Cabin Creek Battlefield Park is located near Pensacola, Okla. It is open to visitors from dawn to dusk 365 days a year.

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For more information, contact Steve Warren at 913-549-4604 or civilwarren@yahoo.com