information must be obtained from other
sources. It was, however, a most momentous period in their history.
At the outbreak of the war Thomas was serving his seventh consec-
utive term in the state senate. Being an ardent Confederate sym-
pathizer, he was elected a delegate to the convention which passed the
secession ordinance, and immediately after voting in favor of that
measure resigned from the senate in order to work for the southern
canst". As he was already well advanced in years it is doubtful if his
effort would have gone beyond the raising of funds and other supplies
but for the fact that at this juncture an effort was made by the Con
federate General Kirby Smith to enlist the East Cherokee for active
service.
The agent sent for this purpose was Washington Morgan, known to
the Indians asA'ganst&'ta, son of that Colonel Gideon Morgan who
i Royce, Cherokee Nation, op. eit., p. 313 and note.
- Report of tin- Indian Commissioner, pp. 459-460, ,1845.
3 Commissioner Crawford, Report of Indian Co
4 Royce, op. cit.. p. 314,
THE THOM \- LEGION 1 69
had commanded the Cherokee at the Horseshoe bend. By virtue of
his Indian blood and historic ancestry he was deemed the most fitting
emissary for the purpose. Early in 1862 be arrived among the
Cherokee, and by appealing to old-time memories so aroused the war
spirit among them that a large number declared themselves ready to
follow wherever he led. Conceiving the question at issue in the war
to be one that did not concern the Indians, Thomas had discouraged
their participation in it and advised them to remain at home in quiet
neutrality. Now. however,