Tuesday, 7 February 2006 - 2:08 PM EST

Carolyn writes:

I have become obsessed with resolving the question of whether or not Walkers Battalion was ever elevated to the status of what was to be the 80th Regiment, because the issue determines whether my Great, Great Grandfather, Stephen Whitaker was ever officially promoted to the rank of Major, or remained a Captain, as the archives have stated. There's a bit of intrigue there, as William Thomas and A.E. Jackson were at odds with each other due to the fact that Jackson was given Thomas' men. Thomas was away on assignment, and upon his return, was notified that his legion had become part of A.E. Jackson's. Evidently the real problem was that it was ALL of it! They became bitter enemies, and at one point Jackson was about to have him court martialed for not following his orders, when Burnside began an offensive, and it was dropped for the time being. I believe it was Buckner, who aptly defused the problem by having Thomas and his men assigned to him directly. Stephen Whitaker was also called before a court martial for not obeying orders, because he had followed ones given by Thomas which Jackson would not recognize. Whitaker was exonerated and returned to command. What is bugging me is that I am getting conflicting information as to this Captain vs Major and the existence of an 80th Regiment thing, and other researchers have had the same problem. Last night I visited a site which was expressed from the Federal side, in which they describe how a certain unit captured the 80th North Carolina Regiment, which is the unit that Walkers Battalion was supposed to be elevated to. According to the records of NC, that change in status from Walker's Battalion to become the 80th NC Regiment never took place, however, there are still people using it as though it were official, ditto on the 69th. If they didn't exist, how come people like Stringfield and Graham refer to them as such? Funniest thing. The researcher who referred to it as the 80th NC was someone from pentagonhistory.com. I would like to try to nail it down one way or the other for the sake of history, before that book they are doing is finished. It would also settle the question for my family history purposes. I am thinking of responding to the other researcher directly, and seeing if they have information we don't have! Did you get the message about the origins of the Thomas Legion? I think that would be very helpful to that guy at the archives, so I sent him a message (through another party), telling him where it is, and if he couldn't find it, I would send it to him. It is a very non-descript hand done booklet, and a fluke that we had it in our little genealogical library, although I guess 400 members is not so small as I might think. There is a great book on all of the state troops in our library, and a guy by the name of Eli S. Ingrahm, who supposedly deserted is referenced in one of the units. The NARA also sent me two documents under that name, when I sent for Eli's stuff. It is the wrong middle initial, but, the copyist is a sloppy writer with big scrolly cursive, so one cannot tell if they just had his name wrong a couple of places, or if it is a different person (the one who deserted!). The unit information seems correct. I cannot see my great grandfather deserting, since he re-enlisted several times over the period of the war. There was a period during the above mentioned Jackson/Thomas controversy, when both Stephen and Eli were on detached service for the period of time in question, or as found out later, serving elsewhere. My personal feeling is that Jackson was asserting his authority, and despite having read good reviews of him, I think that the right hand of the CSA did not know what the left hand was doing, and they all got caught in the warp. Another article I read, spoke about how, when Burnside entered and took over that part of the country, many, if not most, of them went to their homes. I would like to know what really happened, and will probably keep at it until I find out for sure. Good reading!

Tuesday, 7 February 2006 - 2:12 PM EST

Here is the information for Battalion v: Regiment

Here is the data I have on the 80th battalion or 80th regiment. Thomas' Legion is stated 75 times in the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. William C. Walker and Battalion is mentioned once. Walker’s Regiment or an 80th Regiment from North Carolina is never mentioned.

Most of the unit’s confusion is due to the fact that Thomas’ Legion is North Carolina’s only Civil War legion. To say the “legion” is unique is a gross understatement. This uniqueness is compounded by the fact that unit’s were known by many names. The 64th North Carolina Infantry Regiment is also called Allen’s Regiment. Also the companies within the regiment had their own names.

In June 1863, the Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office (A.&I.G.O) in Richmond officially received and recorded the muster rolls. Love’s Regiment was commissioned as “Infantry Regiment, Thomas’ Legion.” The battalion was officially recorded as “Walker’s Ba ttalion, Thomas’ Legion.”

In communication most unit’s shortened their designation. Instead of “Infantry Regiment” one would usually write “Regiment.”

Thomas’ Legion encompasses the entire command. Within the legion there were infantry, cavalry and artillery. Thomas' Legion is also unofficially called Love's Regiment, 69th North Carolina Regiment, 69th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, and 69th North Carolina State Troops (NCST).

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies designates the unit as "Thomas' Legion." (Captain James R. Love II was assigned to Thomas' Legion, while William C. Walker out ranked Love, he, Walker, was officially assigned to Walker's Battalion).

In January 1865, the 14th North Carolina Cavalry Battalion was enlarged to a regiment and officially designated as the 69th North Carolina Regiment; moreover, they should be called the 69th North Carolina Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Colonel James L. Henry, commanding (Officially one 69th) . But unofficially there were two 69ths: officially one cavalry and unofficially one infantry. The infantry, referring to Love’s Regiment within Thomas’ Legion.

Thomas Legion, for numerical purposes unofficially adopted the 69th North Carolina "Infantry" Regiment. Walker’s Battalion adopted the 80th North Carolina Battalion.

James Love II was also promoted to Colonel (equal to the rank of Thomas), however, since this occurred during the last month of the war, it was never official. He was also recommended for promotion to Brigadier General, according to Lt. Colonel Stingfield's diary, November 1, 1864. Also, Will Thomas raised an Indian Battalion in early 1865 and it is not officially recognized.



80th Battalion: Unofficially, the 80th North Carolina Regiment


During the course of the War they strived to raise the battalion to a regiment. Unofficially many believe it never qualified for regimental status. Many believe it was never raised to a full-regiment. But this is debatable, because in 1864 many officially designated regiments now mustered only battalion strength.

In Storm in the Mountains, Vernon Crow mentions on page 146 that Love's Regiment and 69th Regiment are interchangeable as stated in Lt. Colonel Stringfield’s writings. He also states that in Captain Robert A. Akin’s writings, he interchanges Walker's Battalion with 80th Regiment. (It appears that some of the soldiers believed the battalion had enough troops to be called Walker's Regiment or the 80th Regiment. This is still unofficial though). Vernon Crow also states on page 146 that there is no official record that reflects that the battalion was ever recognized as a regiment, or qualified as a regiment.

On page 147 Vernon further states that in papers, letters, diaries—official and unofficial records—in public and private collections, at universities and specialized archives, this author has not uncovered one single document to alter the position that, during the war, the Regiment was never called the Sixty-ninth, nor was the Battalion ever called the Eightieth Regiment.

In the "Official National Archives: A Comprehensive list of Confederate Military Units,” they officially recognize the unit as Thomas’ Legion. There is “no official recognition” for the 80th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Walker’s Regiment, or any derivatives.

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (OR) or Official Record of the War of the Rebellion, Series 1 - Volume 32 (Part II) page 642 records: Thomas' (North Carolina) Regiment, Lieut. Col. James R. Love. Walker's (North Carolina) Battalion, Lieut. Col. William C. Walker.

D. H. Hill, Jr. in Confederate Military History of North Carolina mentions 80th Battalion twice, on pages 114 and 161. On page 220, Hill writes, Sixty-ninth (?) North Carolina Regiment. He was either confused since it was officially Thomas' Legion and not the 69th, or confused if t he 69th was in the engagement listed on that page. Mr. Hill makes no reference to the 80th Regiment; he does mention on page 114, Lt. Colonel Walker's cavalry battalion, and on page 161 he writes Walker's Battalion.

NPS Index records Walker's Battalion, Thomas Legion. It never mentions Walker’s Regiment or 80th Regiment.

Clark's Regiments an Extended Index to the Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War 1861-65: On page 468 he mentions Walker's Battalion, Thomas' Legion; Col, 80th North Carolina State Troops.

Volume III of Clark's Regiments, page 736 records: ...several companies of Walker's Battalion (of our Legion)... then on the very same page Clark also records: Part of the Sixty-ninth and most of the Eightieth (Walker's Battalion which had been raised to a regiment)…


Also in the OR (original spelling):

Report of Lieut. C. H. Taylor: Thomas’ Legion C. S. Army.
Murphy, N.C.
November 1, 1863.

Sir: on October 27, General Vaughn, with a detachment of his mounted men, overtook Goldman Bryson, with his company of mounted robbers, in Cherokee County, N.C., attacked him, killing 2 and capturing 17 men and 30 horses.

On the 28th, I left Murphy with 19 men, taking Bryson’s trail through the mountains; followed him 25 miles, when I came upon him and fired on him, killing him, and capturing 1 man with him. I found in his possession his orders from General Burnside and his roll and other papers.

My men acted nobly; marched two days, and without anything to eat.

Yours Respectfully,
C. H. Taylor
Lieutenant, Comdg, Co. B, Infantry Regt., Thomas’ Legion
Lieutenant Colonel Walker
Commanding Battalion, Thomas’ Legion



General Bragg:

Permit me, General, to recommend to your notice C. H. Taylor, lieutenant, who commanded the Indians at the killing of Captain Bryson. You will pardon me, General, in not sending this through the proper channel, we have no mails.
W. C. Walker,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Battalion, Thomas’ Legion



Quallatown, N.C., February 28, 1864.

TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF SOUTH CAROLINA:

At the commencement of the present war I urged the Carolinians to make preparations for defending the passes in the Smoky Mountain for their common protection, and to aid as far as I could in keeping back the Northern vandals. By the express permission of President Davis I raised a Legion of Indians and Highlanders. Last fall when East Tennessee was unfortunately surrendered to the enemy, I, with the Indians, was ordered to fall back on the Smoky Mountains to check the progress of the enemy…

My comments: [Colonel Thomas emphasized that the Indians were starving and he further pleaded with South Carolina’s officials to immediately send the Cherokees provisions of corn, flour, rice, beans, grain, and cotton for clothes. Will Thomas offered to pay for these provisions at his own expense. Should food fail to arrive the Indians will certainly die and Thomas’ Legion will lack sufficient force to protect South Carolina’s northwestern region. Hence, the “Legion” will retreat across the “Blue Ridge Line” and Lincoln will have access to subjugate South Carolina. Subsequently, the South Carolinians met the requests of Col. Thomas, thus postponing the Indians’ starvation.]

Your obedient servant,
WM. H. Thomas
Colonel Thomas’ Legion Indians and Highlanders

It appears Walker’s promotion to Colonel is also not recognized, nor is the battalion recognized as a regiment.


In concluding the OR never recognizes 80th Regiment, Eightieth Regiment, or Walker's Regiment; it only states Walker's Battalion.


I hope this helps.

Regards, Matt Parker

Tuesday, 7 February 2006 - 2:13 PM EST

Matthew: Wow, that was a lot of information for a militarily challenged researcher like me to absorb, but then, I had a lot of questions, didn't I? I think the bottom line is that we all have to accept the status quo until we uncover some moldy proof somewhere that it was otherwise. I am so anal about it however.. It still seems weird that people would just pull the names and designations of regiments out of a hat, when they didn't even exist, and then continue to refer to them as such, even decades later. Maybe some fellow researcher has something we don't know about, and will share it with us. The only thing I know for sure is that it took me a long time to hit the right buttons. If I find anything interesting, I'll put it here for all to share. Thanks a bunch for the response, and doing such a good job for us..

PS: C.H. Taylor was Campbell Taylor.

Carolyn Ellertson

Tuesday, 7 February 2006 - 9:51 PM EST

Additional official records and information regarding: Thomas' Legion, Walker's Battalion, 69th Regiment, 80th Battalion, Brig. Gen. A. E. Jackson, etc.

Original Text, Spelling, and Footnotes:

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies:
Organization of Buckner’s Division, Brig. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson, C. S. Army, commanding, April 20, 1864.*

Jackson’s Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Alfred E. Jackson.
Thomas’ regiment,++ Lieut. Col. James R. Love.
Walker’s battalion,++ Lieut. Col. James A. Mckamy.
Levi’s (Virginia) battery.
Burroughs’ (Tennessee) battery.
McClung’s (Tennessee) battery.

Johnson’s Brigade.
Col. John S. Fulton.
17th Tennessee, Col. R. H. Keeble.
23rd Tennessee, Col. R. H. Keeble.
25th Tennessee, Lieut. Col. John L. McEwen, jr.
44th Tennessee, Lieut. Col. John L. McEwen, jr.
63d Tennessee, Col. Abraham Folkerson.
Detachments, + Capt. Nathan Dodd.

Gracie’s Brigade
Brig. Gen. Archibald Gracie, Jr.
41st Alabama, Col. Martin L. Stansel.
43rd Alabama, Lieut. Col. John J. Jolly.
59th Alabama, Col. Bolling Hall, jr.
60th Alabama, Maj. Hatch Cook.
23rd Alabama, Battalion Sharpshooters, Maj. Nicholas Stallworth.

++ Otherwise known as the Thomas (North Carolina) Legion
+ From the Sixteenth Georgia Battalion and the Third, Thirty-first, Forty-third, Sixtieth, Sixty-first, and Sixty-second Tennessee Regiments.
• As shown by inspection reports of Lieu. Col. Archer Anderson, assistant adjutant-general. Jackson’s brigade at Carter’s Depot, the others near Zollicoffer.

My notes:
There are a few records reflecting: Thomas’ regiment, North Carolina, and Thomas’ regiment, North Carolina Volunteers. Notice the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies adds a footnote when it records Thomas’ regiment, North Carolina. The footnotes in the Official Records clarify the command by recording: otherwise known as the Thomas (North Carolina) Legion. This evidence reinforces the command rivalry between A. E. Jackson and William H. Thomas. This is recorded in Lt. Colonel William Stringfield’s writings: “It appears that Jackson broke up the Legion in order to make it a brigade and call it his Brigade.” Also, the organization demotes the “Legion” by stating “regiment.” When you view the brigade, it includes Thomas' Legion and Thomas' entire Legion. The regiment, battalion and artillery battery are core of the brigade and Thomas' entire Legion.

Otherwise, if Brig. Gen. A. E. Jackson called it a Legion, the Brigade designation would have little merit or value.

Notice the OR reflect who is commanding the regiment within the legion, Lieut. Col. James R. Love. Other times in the OR it states Col. William H. Thomas commanding the regiment.

Every known recording regarding Walker and Walker’s Battalion reflects Lieut. Colonel Walker or a derivative; he is never stated or recorded as a Colonel or what we currently call “Full-Bird” Colonel. William C. Walker’s highest recorded rank is Lieutenant-Colonel. Often times in correspondence one will shorten the lengthy title. Officially, this doesn’t appear to be the case with Walker. I have read a few unofficial records regarding Walker, as Col. Walker. This is acceptable unofficial communication and communique.

The Jackson v. Thomas was perhaps the primary reason Thomas’ Legion was scattered during most of the Civil War.



Library of Congress:

Includes original spelling and footnotes:

One month before 1865 the Congress of the Confederate States of America records (still refers to the organization as Thomas' Legion):

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume 4]

MONDAY, November 21, 1864.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.

Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, November 21, 1864.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate James W. Terrell, of North Carolina, to be an assistant quartermaster, with the rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

No. 11.] War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, November 19, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of James W. Terrell, of North Carolina, to be an assistant quartermaster, with rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty with Thomas' Legion (an original vacancy), to date from November 12, 1864.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.


EXECUTIVE SESSION.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate orates, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, November 24, 1864.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Thomas D. Johnston, of North Carolina, to be assistant commissary, with rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

No. 16.] War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, November 22, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Thomas D. Johnston, of North Carolina, to be assistant commissary, with rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty with Thomas' Legion (an original vacancy), to date from November 21, 1864.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.

The message was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
The Senate resolved rate open legislative session.




In early 1864 the Congress of the Confederate States of America also records:

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume 3]
FRIDAY, January 15, 1864.

To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.

The message was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, January 14, 1864.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the rank affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, January 6, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America:

Adjutants--first lieutenants.

• E. S. Hammond, of Tennessee, to be adjutant Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, to rank from July 1, 1863.
• John L. Barksdale, of Tennessee, to be adjutant Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, to rank from August 27, 1863.
• W. B. Jones, of Tennessee, to be adjutant Sixteenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, to rank from August 29, 1863.
• W. G. Williams, of North Carolina, to be adjutant Sixty-sixth North Carolina Regiment, to rank from November 30, 1863.
• P. C. Gaston, of North Carolina, to be adjutant Walker's battalion, Thomas' Legion, to rank from May 20, 1863.
• D. H. Halsey, of Alabama, to be! adjutant Fourth Alabama Cavalry Regiment, to rank from October 1, 1863.
• C. Wick. Gue, of Alabama, to be adjutant Twenty-fourth Alabama Battalion, to rank from December 16, 1863.
• W. L. Pike, of Missouri, to be adjutant Seventh Missouri Cavalry Regiment, to rank from December 12, 1863.
• G. E. Manigault, of South Carolina, to be adjutant Fourth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment, to rank from December 1, 1863.

• John McRae, of Mississippi, to be adjutant Forty-sixth Mississippi Regiment, to rank from November 17, 1863.
• C. V. Thompson, of Tennessee, to be adjutant Thirteenth Tennessee Regiment, to rank from December 4, 1863.
• C. E. Kimball, of Virginia, to be adjutant Sixth Virginia Cavalry Regiment, to rank from October 1, 1863.
• John Fennelly, of Louisiana, to be adjutant Fourteenth Louisiana Regiment, to rank from December 12, 1863.
• O. R. Funsten, of Virginia, to be adjutant Eleventh! Virginia Cavalry Regiment, to rank from December 7, 1863.
• A. J. Brooks, of Alabama, to be adjutant Forty-sixth Alabama Regiment, to rank from November 17, 1863.
• John Law, of Georgia, to be adjutant Thirty-eighth Georgia Regiment, to rank from November 21, 1863.
• D. A. Hinton, of Virginia, to be adjutant Forty-fourth Virginia Battalion, to rank from December 15, 1863.
• J. E. H. Post, of Maryland, to be adjutant First Maryland Battalion Cavalry, to rank from December 1, 1863.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.

To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.

The message was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

On motion by Mr. Johnson of Arkansas,

The Senate resolved into open legislative session.

Regards, Matt Parker

Thursday, 9 February 2006 - 3:34 AM EST

Carolyn asks: Matthew: Do you know why both A.E. Jackson and this William Lowther Jackson are nicknamed "Mudwall"??

Thursday, 9 February 2006 - 3:39 AM EST

Hi Carolyn,
Gen. A. E. Jackson is nicknamed "Old Mudwall" by his troops. He received this nickname prior to commanding Thomas' Legion. Some stated unlike "Stonewall" Jackson, A. E. Jackson was opposite, hence Old Mudwall. The name stuck since many subordinates thought Jackson a "man who only cared about himself."

Several, if not most, officers in Thomas' Legion signed a petition stating that Jackson was "a man of irritable temper intensified by diseased nervous and aggravated by being in a position for which the man is morally and physically unfit." This letter was forwarded to President Jeff Davis via Gov. Zeb. Vance.

The allegations appear to have some bite, because President Jeff Davis' aide, Colonel William P. Johnston, stated to Davis that Brig. Gen. Jones was a "very nervous" person.

This peaked when General Bragg wrote Davis and recommended Jackson be removed of command, and the "Legion" placed under Thomas' command. General Order 105 was signed on May 5, 1864, sending the Legion to western N.C. However, this was delayed, the Legion, or the Regiment, was sent into the Shenandoah Campaign.

Thomas despised Jackson, he even stated that Jackson never governed any man in his life, just his 20 slaves, and he received his command by accident!
James Terrell wrote to Governor Vance, "Jackson is trying to destroy our organization. It is no longer Thomas' Legion, but Thomas' Regiment, Walker's Battalion and Levi's Battery...in order to make it a show of a (his) brigade."

Subsequently, Brig. Gen. Alfred Jackson was relieved of command, sent to the Army of Tennessee. His nervous condition worsened, and was again relieved of command. By War's end, Jackson served as a staff officer under Breckenridge.

Okay, the other "Mudwall," Confederate Brigadier General William Jackson. I am not too familiar with him. I know he is a distant cousin to Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and most likely he received his nickname for being the opposite of his cousin, "Stonewall."

Regards, Matt

Tuesday, 14 February 2006 - 3:55 AM EST

Jim writes:

Where were the Cherokees during the Battle of Blue Springs?

Hi Jim,

The Cherokees weren't present for the Battle of Blue Springs, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1863.

Love's Regiment (69th N.C. Infantry Regiment) engaged at Blue Springs.

During the Battle of Blue Springs, Colonel Thomas and the two Cherokee Companies were guarding the passes of the Smokies. Thomas was following General Buckner’s Orders and on Sept. 2, 1863, Thomas departed Strawberry Plains for N.C.

Major (later Lt. Col.) William Stringfield’s sister, Mollie, spoke to Colonel Thomas as he left Strawberry Plains and marched down the West Valley Road toward Sevierville. They proceeded to North Carolina and just 17 days after the Battle of Blue Springs, Goldman Bryson and Company sacked Murphy in Cherokee County. The Cherokees pursued and engaged Bryson and Company. Afterwards, General Braxton Bragg and Governor Zebulon Vance publicly applauded and congratulated Thomas’ Legion for exterminating “Goldman and his Robbers.”

On Thomas' Legion Website scroll down to the section titled: Skirmish in Cherokee County North Carolina - October 27, 1863.

Btw, I enjoyed your site, nice job! I will be checking back for updates.

BR, Matt

Tuesday, 14 February 2006 - 11:41 PM EST

Len R. comments about Levi and Barr's Light Artillery Battery of the Thomas Legion:

For those who are not familiar with the battery, after the spring of 1864 Levi's Battery became Barr's Battery, Virginia Light Artillery and served in the Dept of East Tennessee and southwest Virginia until the fall of '64 when it was ordered back east to join the Army of Northern Virginia by Robert E. Lee. The battery served there through the fighting around Richmond and Petersburg, and then in the Appomattox Campaign. The unit was decimated at the Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6,1865 along with a multitude of other ANV outfits.

There isn’t a lot in print about these guys. The author of the book on Barr's Battery titled...Nottaway Artillery and Barr's Battery...is a friend of mine. Mr. Jeff Weaver. He has been my source of info in all this. The book is available as part of the Virginia Regimental History Series by H.E. Howard of Appomattox,Va. The uniform of the unit is a bit odd. It seems they wore a plaid battle shirt resembling a long hunting shirt. The colors are not delineated but I would assume they were of earthy colors. I guess the trousers and footwear as well as headgear are "catch as catch can". This seemed to be the norm in CSA units. As to websites...Jeff had an excellent one but AOL did something to it and he lost most of the info. I hope this information is helpful.
Len R.

Saturday, 18 February 2006 - 2:04 AM EST

I recently sent the following letter to the N.C. Office of Archives and History:


Editor, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster
Historical Publications Section
N.C. Office of Archives and History
c/o Mr. Matthew Brown
4622 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4622

Greetings Mr. Brown:

I am inquiring about the following,
"Volume XVI will cover the Thomas Legion and the Junior and Senior Reserves."

When do you anticipate the completion and availability for this Volume?
Will Thomas' Legion reflect its detailed history, battles, muster records, etc?
I know there are presently gaps in the scattered Legion's history; perhaps Volume XVI will shed some much needed light.

Do you know if James R. Love II was officially recognized as (full-bird) colonel? I can't find any official recognition for "Colonel" James Love in the OR, LOC, NARA. etc.

I have been studying and researching the Legion for years, and I look forward to purchasing the volume.

Thanks, Matt Parker

Saturday, 18 February 2006 - 2:10 AM EST

Dear Mr. Parker,

We expect to publish Volume 16 in 2007. It will contain a detailed history and roster of the Thomas Legion.
Michael Coffey is writing the history of the Legion, so I referred to him your question regarding James Love. His reply is as follows:

The only information that I have seen to indicate that Love was promoted to full colonel was a notice in the March 21, 1865 Charlotte Western Democrat. The date of the supposed promotion was not given, but would have been later than January 17, 1865 (the last time that I have seen a document referring to him as Lt. Col.); how accurate the notice is is unknown. Thomas had mentioned a desire to promote Love on at least one occasion (a letter dated April 27, 1864). Beyond that is speculation.

Thank you for your interest.
Matthew Brown
Editor, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster
Historical Publications Section
N.C. Office of Archives and History
4622 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4622
Phone: (919) 733-7442 Fax: (919) 733-1439
www.ncpublications.com

Saturday, 18 February 2006 - 7:29 PM EST

So far, James Love II was never officially recognized as Colonel. There is a lot of "unofficial" communique, and unofficial and informal communication referring to Love as Colonel, however, this is totally acceptable.

Charlotte Western Democrat, March 21, 1865, refers to "Colonel Love," however; this is not to be considered official recognition. There are other unofficial sources stating "Colonel."

He was a Lieutenant Colonel, but at the end of the war I find documentation stating he was recommended for promotion to Colonel (one grade below Brigadier General). It appears since the war was coming to a close, that the promotion was never official.

More examples: Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General. Many times in the OR, LOC, and NARA, they refer to "General" in informal communication, as General Frazer, Buckner, etc. Yes, they were generals, moreover, NOT full-generals. I reiterate, in communique, unofficial and informal communication this is completely acceptable.

Also, in January 1864, Lt. Colonel William Walker was murdered. His last rank is recognized as Lt. Colonel, as the same rules apply.

For Walker and Love, I have not found an official record; roster, muster record, military service record, discharge, oath of allegiance, etc, to state otherwise.

The Indian Battalion raised in early 1865 is also not officially recognized.

The latter stage of the War was the major contributing factor to this confusion, or conflicting data.

Perhaps additional data will prove otherwise.
BR, Matt Parker

Saturday, 4 March 2006 - 11:40 AM EST

Rob asks:

Did Colonel Thomas have "legitimate fears" for his life and the need for bodyguards?

My reply:

Thomas' fears for his life seem to have merit. The sources that I read support the claim of the so-called "hit" placed on Thomas' life and why he surrounded himself with 20 Cherokee Bodyguard or “Life Guard.” See Western Democrat, (Charlotte, North Carolina), May 24, 1864, p.3. I also listed the references below.

A series of events exacerbated Thomas' fears:

1) The Shelton Laurel Massacre in early 1863.
2) Captain Goldman Bryson's numerous western North Carolina raids, which were abruptly halted by Lt. C.H. Taylor in October 1863.
3) The murder of Lieutenant Colonel William C. Walker in January 1864. The death of Walker is stated to have greatly altered Thomas' view of the war, and underscored Thomas' initial position and pleas to protect WNC.
4) Confederate President Jeff Davis’ letter of confidence in Thomas’ Legion regarding their ability to halt the egregious acts in western N.C, dated Richmond, VA., January 4, 1865, O.R. 1, Volume 46, Part II, p. 1013. See http://thomaslegioncherokee.tripod.com/id54.html
5) Finally, on February 4, 1865, James Love’s house seemed to have been singled out by Colonel George W. Kirk. Kirk and a small army of 400 cavalry and 200 infantry left Newport, Tennessee, for Waynesville. Kirk's Raiders entered Waynesville and pillaged stores, stole numerous horses, burned several houses, including Lt. Col. James R. Love's house (Also the former residence of James Love's ancestor, the Revolutionary War hero Robert Love). Next they attacked the Waynesville jail, freed the prisoners, and then burned the jail. Slow and impeded communication, the vastness of western North Carolina, and few “Home Guard” made it extremely difficult to defend the area. Once again, this activity solidified Thomas’ "fears for his life."


The Western Democrat:

They [Cherokees] were promised their liberty and five thousand dollars in gold if they would bring in the scalp of their chief, Col. Wm. H. Thomas. The Indians seemed to pause--consult--and finally agreed to the proposition. They were released, returned to their native mountains, sought the camp of their Chief, told him all, and have ever since been on the war path--after Yankee scalps.
Western Democrat, (Charlotte, North Carolina), May 24, 1864, p.3


Asheville News regarding the murder of Lt. Col. William C. Walker:
..."a swift and terrible retribution will overtake the murderers"..(Copied by the Western Democrat, January 26, 1864, p.2.)


Report of Lieut. C. H. Taylor: Thomas’ Legion C. S. Army.
Murphy, N.C.
November 1, 1863.
Sir: on October 27, General Vaughn, with a detachment of his mounted men, overtook Goldman Bryson, with his company of mounted robbers, in Cherokee County, N.C., attacked him, killing 2 and capturing 17 men and 30 horses.
On the 28th, I left Murphy with 19 men, taking Bryson’s trail through the mountains; followed him 25 miles, when I came upon him and fired on him, killing him, and capturing 1 man with him. I found in his possession his orders from General Burnside and his roll and other papers.
My men all acted nobly; marched two days, and without anything to eat.
Yours, Respectfully,
C. H. Taylor
Lieutenant, Comdg, Co. B, Infantry Regt., Thomas’ Legion
Lieutenant-Colonel Walker
Commanding Battalion, Thomas’ Legion

[Enclosure of General Burnside’s papers found on Goldman Bryson]
Special Field Orders, No. 56: HDQRS. Army of the Ohio: Knoxville, East Tenn., October, 22, 1863.
VI. Capt. G. Bryson, First Tennessee National Guard, is hereby ordered to proceed with his command to North Carolina and vicinity, for the purpose of recruiting, and will return here within a fortnight, when he will report in person at these headquarters.
By order of Major-General Burnside:
Edward M. Neill,
Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General

General Bragg:
Permit me, General, to recommend to your notice C. H. Taylor, lieutenant, who commanded the Indians at the killing of Captain Bryson. You will pardon me, General, in not sending this through the proper channel, we have no mails.
W. C. Walker,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Battalion, Thomas’ Legion
O.R. 1, Volume 31, Part I, p. 235.

Regards, Matt

Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 11:15 AM EDT

I can't find any veracity to the below story [see below link]. It is a falsified document in much later years or a stated lie to help and assist the individual in question, the affiant.

There is no Company M in Thomas' Legion, it stops at Company K. No companies used the letter "J" as it sounded like "A". I have also searched all my databases for the names listed as well as every 8th Tennessee, respectively. Neither of the individuals served in Thomas' Legion or the 8th Tennessee. I also tried all North Carolina and Tennessee for their respective Confederate service and still came up wanting.

I am awaiting Matt Brown's response from the North Carolina Office of Archives and History: Special Publications.

The locations for Thomas and Smith are also incorrect. But is has me very curious...Do you have any insight to this document?

Story in question is located on below link:

http://home.att.net/~lnschil1533/OtherStuff/WebLetterJohnL-02.htm

Regards Matt Parker

Tuesday, 13 June 2006 - 11:27 PM EDT

Matt, Have you seen any ordnance reports that indicate what muskets were issued to the Legion? My ancester, George W. Bryson, Co F is listed in his final service record as Ordnance Sergeant for the Regiment. I've always assumed they were issued some of the older weapons, probably the .69 cal 1842's or ??.

Wednesday, 14 June 2006 - 2:17 AM EDT

Hi Bernie!

In April 1862, James Terrell wrote: "The men were armed with small squirrel rifles some of which had been bored out so as to admit a larger bullet." They were all percussion locks and no fine ammunition but loose powder." Terrell also believed the guns were inferior and not as accurate as bows and arrows.

On September 7, 1863, while skirmishing from Telford's depot to Limestone, TN., Stringfield recorded: "...we forced them to surrender with a loss [to the enemy] of 20 killed, 30 wounded and 314 prisoners, with 400 splendid small arms. Our loss was six killed and fifteen wounded. Our regiment was immediately armed with the guns here captured (Enfield rifles).

From what I gather these Enfields were a great blessing and greatly needed.

Also, at the Battle of Cedar Creek in October 1864, the Confederates captured 400-500 wagons, three dozen canon, and hundreds of arms. [I am not sure what type of guns they captured] However, by this time the regiment had been reduced to only 150 men.

Bernie, it appears they were strapped for guns as was the entire Army of Tennessee, and Department of East Tennessee.

Please tell me what you think about the small squirrel rifles.

Regards, Matt

Thursday, 15 June 2006 - 12:28 AM EDT

Out here in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) we see lots of references to squirrel rifles that were used during the Civil War. Most tended to be cheap, single shot muzzleloaders usually in .30 or .32 caliber. Some were rebored to .36 and .44/.45 caliber. Many were brought by the soldiers from home or were purchased localy. Usually they were disgarded at the first opportunity to replace them and as you indicated that was from captured weapons.

The usual seems to be that when first line troops recieved better weapons such as the Enfields, then their older muskets, like the 1842 and 1855 Springfields were passed on to "other" units such as the Legion. Captured Enfields were truly a prize.

Bernie

Thursday, 15 June 2006 - 3:05 AM EDT

Matt, because the 8th Tenn. U. S. is so prevelent here in East Tennessee, I thought at first you were speaking about the 8th, but did not realize the confusion until I read further and saw you were thinking of the 8th Tenn. C.S.A. My research shows it only had companies A-K.

I checked two sources: Tennesseans in the Civil War and Military Annals of Tennessee Confederate by Lindsley. I have at least two books on Thomas' Legion, but I did not wade through them. If there is anything else you are looking for just let me know.
Dewey

Thursday, 15 June 2006 - 3:09 AM EDT

Dewey,
Thanks for your quick reply! I have not found any information regarding a Company M, besides one website making a brief reference to a Company M being formed in 1864.

If the letter is authentic then it adds an additional company to Thomas Legion of Indians and Highlanders, a.k.a. 69th North Carolina Infantry Regiment.

The state's official volume [Volume XVI] regarding Thomas' Legion is due to be released in '07.

This mysterious letter regarding company M and Thomas' Legion has me puzzled. It appears to have been perjury to assist the affiant??

If you find additional information please post.
Very Sincerely, Matt

Tuesday, 1 August 2006 - 5:57 PM EDT

I have an ancestor who is in the Thomas Legion photo from Cherokee N.C. His name is Suatie Owl but I can't find any info on him could somebody help me out.

Tuesday, 1 August 2006 - 11:26 PM EDT

Hi Michael,

I don't have any additional information regarding Suatie Owl. I even did a google search and only found 2 on the internet; my site is one of the entries.

If I locate additional information regarding Suatie Owl I will forward to you. If you find additional information please forward.

Sincerely, Matt

Sunday, 3 September 2006 - 2:03 AM EDT

this is my great great grandfather the whereabouts of the  grave were unknown to the family for about 30 years. are there any muter rolls i can reserch. to the best of my knowlege he was not cherokee       William A. Trull

Sunday, 29 October 2006 - 10:18 AM EDT

William Holland Thomas was my great,great,grandfather.

Sunday, 29 October 2006 - 10:37 AM EDT

This is what the memorial for WHT reads: This memorial errected by the bequest of his daughter Sarah Love Thomas Avery, wife of A.C.Avery,Associate Justice of the NC supreme Court. W.H.Thomas father was Richard Thomas of Welch decent, who fought at Rings Mt. and was the cousin of Zachery Taylor,President of the US. His mother was Temperance Calvert of English descent. A grandniece of Lord Baltimore, founder of MD.  As friend, counsellor and Chief of the NC Cherokee INdians, he spent more than 30 yrs. in their service. He drew up a simple form of government for them, fought continually for their rightful claims, upon the US. Helped them acquire homes and subisisted  the needed among them. He laid off their land in equal boundaries into five towns: Bird Town, Paint Town, Wolf Town, Yellow Hill Town and Big Cave.  He was a member of the NC Senate from 1848-1862. During that time except for one session he was a member of the committee of internal improvements and he served as chairman for four sessions. He was a pioneer leader in the development of Western NC. While in the State Senate he securred charters for turnpikes throughout that section and for the Western NC railroad. This was one of the greatest road buildings in the history of NC. He worked for the creation of Watuga, Jackson, Madison, Aleghaney, Mitchell, Translvania, and Clay couties. He served in the sesson convention, 1861-1862 and rose to the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Army as Commander of Thomas Legion/

Monday, 1 January 2007 - 11:30 PM EST

I am trying to locate information on a Pvt Samuel Queen that served in Companies E and A of the Thomas Legion. I cannot find him listed on the rosters in the book, "Storm In The Mountain".

There is another Samuel Queen that served in Company G 52nd GA infantry, and was paroled at Vicksburg. According to his record, this Samuel was listed as "missing since 1864." Could this have been the same man?

Thank you.

Sunday, 21 January 2007 - 12:44 PM EST

Hi Roy, I sent you a separate email with more specifics. Yes, he may have served in both since the Fifty-second Georgia Infantry Regiment recruited heavily in northern GA (and very close to the North Carolina border).

I had one relative serve in the 52nd while his brother served in the Thomas Legion.

Regards, Matt

Friday, 16 February 2007 - 11:01 PM EST

I am a descendant of Elisha W. Morgan, who I think was a 3rd Lieutenant in Company C of the Legion and was from Haywood County.  I wondered if anyone had any information on him.  I saw a source that said he died during the war and is buried in Bristol Tennessee, and I have a copy of a letter home from him in 1863.

 Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Eric Morgan

Thursday, 1 March 2007 - 5:56 PM EST

I wondered if anyone had any information on an ancestor of mine who served as a 3rd Lieutenant in Company C of the Legion, Elisha W. Morgan.  I have a copy of a letter home from him in 1863, and family information is that he died in a hospital in Bristol Tennessee in 1864.

I would love to share information with anyone who knew more.

Thanks.

Eric Morgan

Wednesday, 14 March 2007 - 10:24 AM EDT

My greatgrandfather George M. Clark served in Co. E. Thomas Legion, how do I get information on how to join Thomas Legion ancestors?

Monday, 3 September 2007 - 2:37 PM EDT

I am interested in relatives of Jesse Reed,my GGm was Locicey Reed and could possibly be connected to Jesse.

I read somewhere that he was a minor Tsalagi Chief around 1900 and we were all from Va.nwar the Ky.line in Russel and Buchannon counties.

My GF was a thomas,by the name of Squire and for some reason took the name of Hagy and was the Sheriff of Buchannon couty for a time,and my GM was Amanda.

If you can help I would appreciate it .

                    Thank you greatly

                   Jerry                 gigatali@alltel.net

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