This article is by my nephew, Dan Hall and it appeared in the

Rebel Yell, Southern Press, Gordo, Alabama.

       1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles

Confederate officials commissioned Stand Watie a Colonel in the Confederate States Army in July 1861 and authorized him to raise a unit known as the Cherokee Mounted Volunteers.
The Cherokee Principal Chief John Ross signed the Cherokee Confederate treaty in October 1861, Ross and the Cherokee council raised the First Regiment of Cherokee Mounted Rifles, commanded by Col. John Drew.( Drew’s regimental officers and men were mostly full blooded Cherokee’s.) Stan Watie’s regiment became the Second Regiment of Cherokee Mounted Rifles, ( Watie’s regiment made of mostly mixed-blood Cherokees).
Drew’s regiment became part of Col. Cooper’s command and was ordered to stop the fighting of Union-supportive Creeks. After fighting in three battles against the Creeks, the Battle of Round Mountain, the Battle of Chosto-Talasah and the Battle of Chustonahiah. The First Regiment made their dislike of fighting Creeks known, they were expecting to be fighting the invading Yankees. Part of Drew’s regiment deserted in late 1861, those that remained joined Watie’s regiment and reorganize as 1st Regiment of Cherokee Mounted Rifles under Col. Watie.
Col. Watie’s troops were in 27 major engagements and numerous smaller skirmishes. Most of their fighting was guerrilla tactics which the Cherokee were will suited for. Poorly equipped and armed with castoff rifles or captured weapons, they kept thousands of Union troops tired up. In May 1864 Stand Watie was promoted to Brigadier General. In February 1865, he was given command of the Indian Division of Indian Territory. Being unable to launch any offensive operations he officially surrender on June 23, 1865. Becoming the LAST Confederate General to lay down his arms.