DECEMBER 12, 1806

CHEROKEE STATESMAN/GENERAL STAND WATIE BORN

Born at Oothcaloga, Georgia, Watie served as Speaker of the Cherokee National Council prior to the “Trail of Tears.” A member of the Ridge-Watie-Boundinot faction, he supported removal and signed the Treaty of New Echota in 1835, defying Principal Chief John Ross. After the murders of his uncle, cousin, and two brothers, he became faction leader. In July 1861, Watie was commissioned a colonel in the Cherokee Regiment of Mounted Rifles. Of his troops’ 18 battles, his 2 greatest victories were the 1864 captures of the federal steamboat J.R. Williams in June and federal wagon supply train that September. The only Indian to achieve the rank of general in the Civil War, he was promoted to brigadier general on May 6, 1864. On June 23, 1865, Watie became the last Confederate General to cease hostilities. After the war, Watie served as a member of the Southern Cherokee delegation during the negotiation of the Cherokee Reconstruction Treaty of 1866.  He died September 9, 1871, in Delaware County, Oklahoma.

Sources:  
Kenny A. Franks, “Stand Waite,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society.  Retrieved 7/4/2019, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=WA040
“Stand Waite (1806-1871),” CivilWarHome.com.  Retrieved 7/4/2019, https://civilwarhome.com/watiebio.htm
Photo:  Author unknown.  Date prior to 1871.  Public Domain.