Thomas' Legion or 69th Regiment, North Carolina

First Regiment on either side, North or South, to muster the first full company of Cherokee Indians. Of course Thomas' Legion went on to muster many Cherokee Company's. Later, I will state why this was very unusual, especially for North Carolina, yet alone the South.

Captain Willis Parker, Company I (Cherokee County) of Thomas, Legion, is my Great Great Uncle and with two brothers, William Asbery (Asbury?), and William Benson, served in perhaps the most famous North Carolina Regiment., Thomas' Legion or 69 North Carolina Regiment.

WILLIS PARKER was born 12 April 1819, Haywood County, North Carolina, and laid to rest on 18 March 1905, Cherokee County, North Carolina. He was the son of JONATHAN PARKER and his mother was LEOMA BLYTHE.

He was married to ADELINE AMELIA VANNOY, born 18 March 1827 and passed from this life on 20 August 1897, in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Her father was JOEL VANNOY and mother ELIZABETH ST CLAIR.

He also served with countless relatives during the Civil War or War Between the States, many of my relatives, Parker's, served in the following regiments; 1st (Bethel Regiment), 11th, 16th, 25th, 29th, 60th, 62nd and Thomas' Legion (69th), North Carolina Regiments, respectively.

It was common place for family, friends and neighbors serving together, for it was unthinkable to coward in the presence of family, and one dared not turn tail and run when your family rallies "CHARGE!"

With hundreds of Cherokee and Whites, my three relatives fought with the renowned and 56 year old, Colonel William Thomas, in Thomas' Legion, or also called, 69 Regiment of North Carolina. Colonel William Thomas was considered and even called a Chief by the Cherokee, and savior of over 1000 Cherokee, during the bloody "Trail Of Tears."

If it wasn't for William Thomas providing safe haven for nearly 1000 Cherokee, undoubtedly there wouldn't be nearly 10,000 Cherokee in Western North Carolina to this day.

The Cherokee had an agreement with the United States, and they took this agreement seriously even though the white man had mistreated the Cherokee on numerous occasions.

If the Cherokee were to join the North or South many would think it naturally to join the North (the enemy of my enemy is my friend), since it was the South that eradicated the Cherokee during their forceful march termed, "Trail Of Tears."

Thomas petitioned Richmond to authorize the raising of additional "Indians and such whites as I may select". His purpose was to raise a "full battalion" and ultimately a mounted regiment to act as "a guerilla force...for the local defense of the Carolinas, Virginia and East Tennessee" in pro-Unionist East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Jefferson Davis, according to Thomas' writings had agreed to arm and equip such a unit.

Without question, many Cherokee remained neutral or tried to, while some did join the Union Army, USA.

The first Company of Cherokee Indians to muster was under whom they called Chief, William Thomas.

In the fall of 1861, two full companies of Cherokee (200 warriors) loyally answered the call to arms. About three companies or 300 white men also answered the call. By the summer of 1862, Thomas had raised a regiment of five (5) companies; three (3) white and two (2) Cherokee.

The regiment grew so quickly it soon numbered between 1500-2000 men, hence, making it an under strengthened Brigade!

Thomas' Legion was eventually involved in many battles throughout the south east, and proved to be heroic, valiant, and feared by the enemy.

JACKSON COUNTY PETITIONERS

The Final Days

The Thomas Legion's final moment of glory came on 09 May 1865, one month after Lee's surrender when Lieutenant R. T. Conley of Company "F" of Love's regiment, encountered Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Bartlett's 2nd North Carolina (Federal) Mounted Infantry at Waynesville, North Carolina. That night Bartlett and his men were surrounded in the town by both the Indian Battalion and Love's regiment. The Confederates called for a meeting with Bartlett on the morning of May 10th. Confederate General James G. Martin overall commander, Thomas and Col. Love all met with Bartlett. They were escorted by "twenty of the biggest Cherokees" Thomas could roundup. The Confederates surrendered to Bartlett realizing further fighting was fruitless. Bartlett was apparently impressed by the Confederate leaders and their escort as his terms allowed the Legion to keep their arms and equipment with a promise that he; Bartlett, and his troops, would leave the area.

At war's end, many suffered, since destruction and devastation, was every where one's eyes beheld.

Former Stage Coach, Telegraph, rail road, farming and hunting, were all former employers. Now, not a cow, pig, horse, wagon or crop to be found, many must have felt this was hell, and our families are now paying the greatest price.

Everything was reduced to ruin and rubble, a virtual waste land, all they had were each other and hope.......

For North Carolina was not alone in her woes, most of the nation was now bankrupt and it would take decades to recover.

My goal in writing this is to allow some very limited insight to our great family heritage and through it all, as harsh as war may be, our ancestors paid the ultimate price, their blood. They were not only willing to die for their beliefs, but to rebuild after the last shot rang aloud and gave partial closure, and then only with time, would the wounds of war begin to heal ......

Note: I use several references and numerous resources to verify the facts.

Anyone with more information or questions, please contact me.

CONFEDERATE NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS

69th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry

"Units of the Confederate States Army" by Joseph H. Crute, Jr. contains no history for this unit.

Graphics by the Lady Rebel