Thomas Wright a young teenager starts his Diary in July 1858 America. Northern Kentucky, Mason county near the Town of Dover and Lees Creak. across the Ohio River the town of Ripley Ohio. Hot bed of Abolitionist movement. between befriending a slave...
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Few Flags The Confederate States flew during the War. Notice the Bottom right two Flags Native American.
I plan on researching the Native American Units in the Confederacy more, this is interesting. I knew they fought but not as a Nation. I know I said I've done enough research to write this book two times.
Native Americans The Civil War
The Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Catawba, and Creek were the only Tribes to fight for the Confederacy. Native Americans fought at these Battles, Pea Ridge, Second Manassas, Antietam, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and in Federal assaults on Petersburg. Like other Americans the Native Americans could of had friends and family fighting for the other side.
The Cherokee suffered the highest casualties it's population declining from 21,000 to 15,000 by 1865. Despite the Federal Government's promise to pardon all Cherokee in the Confederacy, the entire Nation was considered disloyal, and their rights were revoked. At the end of the War General Stand Waitie was the last Confederate General to surrender, laying down arms two months after Robert E. Lee, one month after General E. Kirby Smith commander all troops west of the Mississippi.
The Thomas Legion an Eastern Band of Confederate Cherokee, led by Colonel William Holland Thomas. Fought in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Another 200 Cherokee formed Junaluska Zouaves, named after a recently deceased hero, they became the 69th North Carolina Infantry or Thomas's Legion company A and B.
Nearly all the adult males of the Catawba Tribe, joined the Confederate Army, they served in 5th, 12th and 17th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. A Monument in Columbia South Carolina honors the Catawbas' service, as a consequence of the high rate of dead and wounded. The continued existence of the Catawba people was jeopardized.
Union Native Americans
The most famous Native American unit for the Union Army in the East, Company K 1st Michigan Sharp Shooters. The Bulk of this unit was made up of, Ottawa, Delaware, Huron, Oneida, Potawami, Ojibwe. Company participated in the Battle of the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, and captured 600 Confederate troops at Shands House east of Petersburg, Virginia. In their final military engagement, at the Battle of the Crater. Petersburg Virginia, found themselves surrounded with low ammunition. A Lieutenant of the U.S. C.T. quoted their actions as, Splendid work. Some of them mortality wounded, and drawing their blouses over their faces, they chanted a death song and died. Four of them in a group.
General Ely A. Parker
Parker a member of the Seneca Tribe. Created the Articles of Surrender that Lee signed at Appomattox Court House, on 9, April 1865. Parker served as Grant's military secretary and was a trained Attorney. Lee was said to have remarked to Parker glad to see a real American here. Parker replied we are all Americans here.
