1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles , Confederate States of America 1862. Watercolor and Goauche on paper. Prints available, go to the shop now button at the top of the page.

Here is the story about them.
The 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles is representative of the over thirty units of Native American troops who were raised to fight as allies to the Confederacy. The fact that they served in an over looked theater of the War has served to over-shadow their history. The reason for their adherence to the fight for Southern Independence was ably summed up by Captain Richard Fields, Co. F in a letter written from Prairie Springs, Cherokee Nation, June 21, 1863. Speaking not just for his regiment but for the Cherokee Nation he wrote; “We are allies assisting in maintaining the rights and establishing the Independence of another Nation.”
The Cherokees were not alone in declaring their independence. The Raleigh Semi-weekly Register on June 22, 1861 reprinted an article that had appeared in the Memphis Appeal which contained a proclamation of the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation:
“Whereas, The Legislature of the Chickasaw, Nation has, of the 25th day of May, 1861, adopted a resolution declaring that in consequence of the Secession of a large portion of the State, formerly comprising the United States of America, the Federal Union has been dissolved……………..the Chickasaw people are absolved from all allegiance of any foreign government, and are left independent, which it is proper should be made known to the people of this nation and to the world.”
Like the United States itself the Indian nations were divided with some choosing to fight with the Union. As elsewhere, where local differences divided families and communities the fighting became bitter. Appearing in the “Inland News from the Creek Agency” was the description of a battle with some of the Union Cherokees (considered deserters) “The deserting Cherokees had a corn shuck tied to the top of their head for a badge, and 30 of their heads lost their corn shuck scalps over which our Choctaw allies danced to the tune of Dixie on the following night.”
Other such descriptions served to elevate the fear of the Union soldiers serving in the area. The Daily Columbus [Ga.] Enquirer on September 16, 1862 reported from Knoxville, TN: “We have at the [Gap] about 300 Indians, dressed cap-a-pie in the usual Indian costume including the paint. They have a merry time picking off the Yankee pickets with their unerring rifles, nor have they forgotten how to handle their scalping knives, for a few days ago one of them came into camps with a Yankee’s ear dangling by his side. The enemy’s pickets have a mortal fear of Indians and as soon as they are espied they “skedaddle”……..”
The fear of the Indians was not limited to the Yankees. The Bishop of the Diocese of Arkansas wrote his concerns to the Confederate Secretary of War on May 11, 1861 saying, in part, “The trouble is not with the chiefs, who are generally half-breeds, and men of intelligence……”
As with most Confederate troops of the Trans-Mississippi, the Indian regiments were poorly armed and initially had little or no uniform issue. As the War progressed complaints netted results with uniforms and equipment being issued on a level with most Confederate troops in the area. Weapons would also improve but would retain a diversity ranging from double barrel shotguns to rifle muskets and captured Union carbines. Hand guns included nearly everything of military value with Colts, and Remington’s being held in highest esteem.
Ordnance issued to the 1st Cherokee Mounted Volunteers on 13 May 1862 included:
6.24 lbs. of lead, 20,000 musket cartridges cal. 69, 92,000 shot gun caps, 100,000 musket caps, 10,000 buckshot cartridges, 10 cap bags.
An example of a typical clothing issue to the same regiment shows the following received for Company I on 14 December 1862:
59 suits clothing, 27 pair shoes, 24 pair drawers, 23 shirts, 48 caps, 4 hats, 7 comforts, 2 over shirts and 1 oil carpet

Eye witness records available vary but emphasis the use of feathers in their caps and the use of war paint.

A large number of the Cherokees in the 1st Mounted Rifles (as well as in other tribes) were mixed Indian and white blood referred to at the time as “half breeds”. The warrior/soldier shown here is wearing clothing probably received from the Houston depot in the form of a “suit”, which would mean a jacket and pants made of the same material. His boots were likely obtained from a Union cavalryman. Rather than a cartridge box he carries a powder flask which would be used to load the charge in his shotgun to be topped by buckshot carried in a separate bag also slung from the shoulder. His scalping knife is carried on his waist belt and the ever present feathers and war paint clearly show his heritage. His unrivaled skill as a horseman is evidenced by the use of a simple rope halter on his horse.
In the end, the decision to support the Confederacy was a poor choice. Rather than gain an Independent Nation they would see the “Indian Territory” divided up with continued encroachment by the white population. Considering the general Luke-warm concern for the Indian before the War, being on the losing side did nothing but make it worse.