Colonel Stand Watie’s Cherokee name was De-ga-taga, or “he stands.” When the Civil War started, Watie sided with the Confederacy and formed the 2nd Cherokee MountedRifles, commanding the regiment at Pea Ridge.

After the battle, he commanded a brigade of Native American troops. He and his men participated in 18 battles and major skirmishes as well as a number of smaller skirmishes and raids. In 1864, he was promoted to Brigadier General, the only Native American to be so on either side.

In June, 1865, Watie was the last Southern general to surrender to the Federals. He served as a delegate for the negotiations for the Cherokee Reconstruction Treaty in 1866 and then retired from public life. He died in September 1871.

Photographs needed - To submit a photograph for the historical feature, send it to The TIMES of Northeast Benton County, P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751, or e-mail to [email protected] with any pertinent information. All photographs will be returned.

Community, Pages 5 on 05/12/2010