jjares reviewed Stand Watie: The Life and Legacy of the Cherokee Chief Who Became a Confederate General on + 3275 more book reviews
Charles River begins this book with a short overview of the Cherokee Indians' history. It is believed that the Cherokee were part of the Iroquoian language family. However, studies indicate that the Cherokee and Iroquois separated about 6000 years ago. Starting in the northeastern part of North America, the Cherokee migrated to southeastern America to settle in parts of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and the Cumberland Basin of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama.
After meeting the Europeans, the Cherokee became more dependent on them for the goods they bought from them. As the Europeans had superior military goods, the Indians acquired those goods and became more militarized. Indians took sides during the Revolutionary War to their cost. The Cherokee sided with the British and paid heavily for that decision.
Stand Watie was from a prosperous slaveholding planter family. Stand was of mixed blood and learned English in Moravian schools. Although Stand's family and the Cherokee assimilated into the European model, President Jackson forced the removal of the Cherokee from their lands. This eventually led to the infamous "Trail of Tears" and innumerable deaths of Indians. This book describes General John Ellis Wool ad the commander assigned to move the Cherokee. After he learned what was going on (through the eyes of the Indians), he asked to be relieved of his command (absolutely unheard of at that time). General Winfield Scott replaced him.
The bad blood between the factions of the Cherokee Nation led to bloodshed and murders. Stand Watie and John Ross were the leaders of the opposing groups. John Ross' Cherokees wanted to remain neutral in the coming Civil War of the white men. Many of Watie's group were enslavers and wanted to counteract the abolitionists.
Many Indians were interested in joining the Confederacy because of the federal government's dishonest dealings with the Indian Nations. Indian enslavers had the same concerns about Lincoln's election as the white enslavers had. Albert Pike became the Confederate Commissioner of Native American Affairs. He negotiated treaties with members of the Five Civilized Tribes to become allies of the Confederates. Watie formed a unit of Confederated Cherokees. Amazingly, during the Civil War, the Cherokee waged an Indian Civil War. The John Ross and Stand Watie factions remained at odds by raiding each other and counter-raiding.
In 1864, Watie was named a brigadier general (the only one in the Civil War). Watie and his brigade are most known for the raid and capture of a Union steamboat, J R Williams, in June 1864, on the Arkansas River. In January 1865, Wate was appointed Confederated commander of the Indian Territory (effectively making him governor of the Indian Territory of Oklahoma). Watie was also the last Confederate general to surrender two months after the signing of the Treaty between the North and South.
The Indians paid dearly for their participation in the Civil War. More than 10,000 people died in the Indian Territory during the war. By 1863, one-third of the married women were widows, and one-fourth of the children were orphans. During that time, 300,000 cattle were stolen.
This was a great story about a relatively- unknown man and chapter in America's history. My only disappointment was that the author tried to tell Cherokee history before getting to Stand Watie.
After meeting the Europeans, the Cherokee became more dependent on them for the goods they bought from them. As the Europeans had superior military goods, the Indians acquired those goods and became more militarized. Indians took sides during the Revolutionary War to their cost. The Cherokee sided with the British and paid heavily for that decision.
Stand Watie was from a prosperous slaveholding planter family. Stand was of mixed blood and learned English in Moravian schools. Although Stand's family and the Cherokee assimilated into the European model, President Jackson forced the removal of the Cherokee from their lands. This eventually led to the infamous "Trail of Tears" and innumerable deaths of Indians. This book describes General John Ellis Wool ad the commander assigned to move the Cherokee. After he learned what was going on (through the eyes of the Indians), he asked to be relieved of his command (absolutely unheard of at that time). General Winfield Scott replaced him.
The bad blood between the factions of the Cherokee Nation led to bloodshed and murders. Stand Watie and John Ross were the leaders of the opposing groups. John Ross' Cherokees wanted to remain neutral in the coming Civil War of the white men. Many of Watie's group were enslavers and wanted to counteract the abolitionists.
Many Indians were interested in joining the Confederacy because of the federal government's dishonest dealings with the Indian Nations. Indian enslavers had the same concerns about Lincoln's election as the white enslavers had. Albert Pike became the Confederate Commissioner of Native American Affairs. He negotiated treaties with members of the Five Civilized Tribes to become allies of the Confederates. Watie formed a unit of Confederated Cherokees. Amazingly, during the Civil War, the Cherokee waged an Indian Civil War. The John Ross and Stand Watie factions remained at odds by raiding each other and counter-raiding.
In 1864, Watie was named a brigadier general (the only one in the Civil War). Watie and his brigade are most known for the raid and capture of a Union steamboat, J R Williams, in June 1864, on the Arkansas River. In January 1865, Wate was appointed Confederated commander of the Indian Territory (effectively making him governor of the Indian Territory of Oklahoma). Watie was also the last Confederate general to surrender two months after the signing of the Treaty between the North and South.
The Indians paid dearly for their participation in the Civil War. More than 10,000 people died in the Indian Territory during the war. By 1863, one-third of the married women were widows, and one-fourth of the children were orphans. During that time, 300,000 cattle were stolen.
This was a great story about a relatively- unknown man and chapter in America's history. My only disappointment was that the author tried to tell Cherokee history before getting to Stand Watie.
