The Cherokee Nation is officially neutral regarding the American Civil War. Chief John Ross weeks earlier declared that Cherokees wished to “take no part in the present deplorable state of affairs” and hoped that “they should not be called upon to participate in the threatened fratricidal war….” Despite the Cherokee’s pledge of neutrality, Confederates immediately…
William Thomas Acree (1815-1895) of Covington County, Alabama, a Baptist of modest means and the owner of one slave, today enlists in the 60th Regiment (Covington County) 8th Brigade, 11th Division, of the Alabama Militia. Acree prior to the war held several local positions. He was probate judge from 1850 to 1854; Postmaster of…
Landrum C. Ezell (born May 16, 1843) of Spartanburg, South Carolina, enlists in the Cowpens Guards, 9th S.C. Regiment. Ezell is a Baptist preacher, and in the coming months and years he rises to the rank of sergeant, experiences minor war wounds, and fights in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines’ Mill, Frazer’s Farm,…