General Stand Watie's Confederate Indians

This is the story of Stand Watie, the only Indian to attain the rank of general in the Confederate Army. An aristocratic, prosperous planter and leader of the Cherokee natives, Watie was recruited in Indian Territory by Albert Pike to fight the Union forces on the western front. He organized …

This is the story of Stand Watie, the only Indian to attain the rank of general in the Confederate Army. An aristocratic, prosperous planter and leader of the Cherokee natives, Watie was recruited in Indian Territory by Albert Pike to fight the Union forces on the western front. He organized the First Cherokee Rifles on July 29, 1861, and was commissioned a colonel. In 1864, after battling at Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge, he became brigadier general. Watie was the last Confederate general to lay down his arms in surrender, two months after Appomattox. In his foreword, Brad Agnew discusses Watie’s role in the Civil War and his reception by later historians.

About the Author: Frank Cunningham earned doctorates in Letters, Education, and Philosophy and received honorary doctorates in Humanities, Journalism, Law, and Literature for his achievements as a writer and journalist. Among his books are Big Dan: The Story of a Colorful Railroader and Sky Master: The Story of Donald Douglas.