Jim Martin
Re: Indians/Civil War
Sat Jul 21 19:50:23 2001


Is this the story of the scalping incident you referred to?

The Thomas Legion of North Carolina
at the History of the Cherokee Website

The Fighting Begins

In September of 1862, a contingent of the legion was ordered to Powell's Valley near the Cumberland Gap. Included were the two (2) Cherokee companies, one of which was commanded by Lieutenant John Astooga Stoga, a full-blooded Cherokee. Astooga Stoga was revered by his men and was the grandson of a great chief. The regimental historian described him as "a perfect specimen of Indian manhood". On the march one of the Cherokee companies was "waylaid and bushwhacked". Astooga Stoga bravely led a counterattack driving off the Federal soldiers but was mortally wounded in the process. Incensed by the loss of their young leader the men of his company proceeded to commit an act which gained them great notoriety in the Northern newspapers. They scalped a small number, probably three, wounded or dead union soldiers in a moment of passionate outrage. Cooler heads quickly rushed to control the incident and as a gesture the grisly trophies were returned to the Union authorities to be buried with their owners.

This behavior was Thomas' greatest fear. All of his life Thomas had worked for the benefit of the Cherokee and to overcome prejudices and stereotypes by the whites. This affair, though minor as far as numbers are concerned, Thomas knew would rekindle old fears and animosity. Upon their return to camp Thomas ordered the white soldiers not to utter a word regarding this incident and strongly chastised the Cherokee commanders for the behavior of their troops. This tactic seems to have worked as their are no other reported incidents of this type occurring in Thomas' command.

Jim Martin