The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-10-01
YOUNGEST is OVER 70
Three Regiments Raised
Among Aborigines; Full
bloods Named as Officers
BLUNT IN SUPREME CHARGE
Downing Was Highest Rank
ing Cherokee; Afterwards
Was Principal Chief
special 10 The world. -
By S. W. ROSS.

TAHLEQUAH, Sept. 30,---slxty
wears after their enlistment In the
volunteer army OF the United States
there remains among the living only
~ men Of the old Cherokee Nation
who wore the blue uniform during
the days Of the Civil war.
From the beginning 10 the end OF
that mighty conflict there were
3 500 Cherokee citizens who fol-
lowed the stars and stripes. Many
fell ia battle and skirmishes ard
ambusheg, but greater numbers per-
ished from exposure aud epidemics
" illness such as usually prevail IN
times Of war. I'm graves marked and
unmarked, throughout the various
districts into which the old nation
was suhd!yided and within the
stone walls Of the United states ma
tional cemetery at Fort Gibson, the
great majority OF the Cherokee vet
erans are sleeping their last sleep,
They rest IT. the bivouac OF the dead.
After the close OF the Civil war. de
spite the dimunltion OF their num-
bers as a result Of the conflict, there
were yet large number OF seasoned
veterans who returned to their
homes and took up their long neg
lected duties, but as the years have
INl4FQ away LlAtAA ldlAhs llaNN bNtH
gradually reduced.
The CAPTAIN Whitecatcher Post
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic"
in Tahlequah long since ceased to
exist because of the fact that there
were not sufficient veterans alive
70 keep up the required membership.
SO the old hall was abandoned. the
charter taken down and carefully
laid away among other cherished
relics Of the eventful past,
Only a few days ago Price Coch-
ran, whte-haired veteran OF SO
years. was IN Tahlequah from his
home near Hubert, and when in
quiry was made OF him as TO the
number OF Cherokee veterans OF the
Union army yet alive, he. after care
ful pondering, was able TO give the
names OF II besides himself. And
all the survivors are aged men. Even
the youngest is well along in the
seventies, while several are more
than eighty years OF age.
The three Cherokee regiments
were composed of citizens OF the
Cherokee Nation. They were from
the various districts or counties,
nine in number. Of their nation. The
majority were native or fullblooded
Indians and a number OF the Off
GERS were fullbloods. able to give the
commands in their native tongue.
Among the fullblood Cherokee Of
fcers were Captains James Vanr,
Thomas Pegg and Whitecatcher All
these were notable characters brave
and generous men who in the po-
ltlcal life OF the Cherokee Nation
held high official position. There.
were also number of white officers
capt Henry Anderson was noted for
Ms valor. So, too, was Maj. John A.
Foreman, whose GOODNESS and dash
IN the day Of battle would have won
the admiration OF Napoleon Bona
psr'e, had the sreat Corsioan been
existent and witnessed come Of Fore
J mans actions when the odds seemed
overwhelming.
The First, Second and Third
Cherokee regiments, forming a bril-
gaze, were placed under the COM
mand OF Col. William Addison Phil
lips. OF the Sixth Kansas cavalry.
Born In Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scot
land In 1924, Phillips made his way
from Illinois to Kansas territory at
tne time the question as to whether
Kansas should be q slave or free
state was paramount. Phillips went
70 Kansas az correspondent for a
New York newspaper, remained IN
the state after taking a prominent
part In the interests Of the Free
staters' became n lawyer OF note,
rounded the city OF Salna, won hon.
ors IN the war and thereafter was
elected 10 congress, and also at
tained fame as an author. lie died
az Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, in
the fall OF 1891, while attending TO
matters OF business affecting Tho in
terests OF the Cherokees, for whom
ne mad been a special attorney for
some years. Although he should
nave borne brigadler-general's
commission, Colonel Phillips served
10 the end Of the war with the rank
OF regimental commander. In SUI
PIsHe command OF the white and
lhalan forces which operated I'm the
Lha!an country and along the bor-
GERS was Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt.
= man Of such dashing bravery and
daring that veterans who served
uhaer him have remarked that