Cherokee
Indian Nation American Civil War History, Why did the Cherokee Indians fight in the Civil War? Results, Purpose, Details,
Facts, Alliance,
Loyalty, Treaty, Declaration, Convention, Proclamation
The Dye had been Cast
William Holland Thomas displayed a rare ability because he earned the respect and loyalty of the
Cherokee and Western North Carolinian. As an adopted Cherokee, Indian agent, and Cherokee chief, Thomas earned the
confidence of the Cherokee; as a North Carolina state senator, he gained the vote and trust of
the Western North Carolinian; and as a self-taught lawyer, he even convinced Washington to exempt approximately 1000 Cherokee
from the Trail of Tears.
The Western North Carolinians had fought the Cherokee
for decades, and if the Cherokee fight in the American Civil War will they join the North? Or will
they remain neutral? On the other hand, the Cherokee entered into six separate treaties with the United States between
1777 and 1835. In each case, federal authorities sought to extend the frontiers of white settlement by extinguishing Indian
title to land. The U.S. had broken several promises, including President Andrew Jackson's unconscionable betrayal of Chief Junaluska and his Cherokee. The great warrior and chief had saved General Jackson's
life at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and subsequently when "Old Hickory" was elected the 7th President, he
forced the Cherokee from their homeland. But by the 1860s, the Western North Carolinians and Cherokee were neighbors
and, moreover, friends. Cherokee intermarriage with neighboring whites was also more common. Furthermore, prior
to his death, Chief Yonaguska commanded his people to obey Chief Thomas. In 1883 Ziegler recorded:
"Before Yonaguska died he assembled his
people and publicly willed the chieftainship to his clerk, friend and adopted son, W. H. Thomas, who he commended as worthy
of respect and whom he adjured them to obey as they had obeyed him. He was going to the home provided for him by the
Great Spirit; he would always keep watch over his people and would be grieved to see any of them disobey the new chief he
had chosen to rule over them."
And in the beginning of the Civil War, Scott was appointed General-in-Chief of the Union Army;
he was also a veteran of the War of 1812, hero during the Mexican-American War, former presidential candidate,
and during the Civil War was credited for his
superb Anaconda Plan. Other notable soldiers
of the Mexican-American War: Robert E. Lee, Braxton Bragg, U. S. Grant, "Stonewall" Jackson, Zachary Taylor, and Jefferson Davis.
"Long time we travel on way to new land. People feel bad when
they leave old nation. Women cry and make sad wails. Children cry and many men cry, and all look sad like when friends die,
but they say nothing and just put heads down and keep on go towards West. Many days pass and people die very much. We bury
close by Trail."
—
Survivor of the Trail of Tears
Recommended
Viewing: The Great Indian Wars: 1540-1890 (2005) (235 minutes). Description:
The year 1540 was a crucial turning point in American history. The Great Indian Wars were incited by Francisco Vazquez
de Coronado when his expedition to the Great Plains launched the inevitable 350 year struggle between the white man and the
American Indians. This series defines the struggles of practically every major American Indian tribe. It is also
a fascinating study of the American Indians' beginnings on the North American Continent, while reflecting the factional
splits as well as alliances. Continued...
The Great Indian Wars is more than a documentary about the battles and
conflicts of the American Indians. It also reflects the migration patterns--including numerous maps--and the evolution
of every major tribe, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of each tribe. Spanning nearly 4 hours and filled
with spectacular paintings and photographs, this documentary is action-packed from start to finish.
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