Home Guard

Preface

The Cherokee Legion was formed in response to a call from the Governor of Georgia for troops to defend the State from an anticipated invasion from Federal forces which were based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As you will read in two articles from the Atlanta Daily Intelligencer contained in this publication, Cherokee County responded overwhelmingly to the call of Governor Brown. Over 600 men joined the Cherokee Legion from the County and many of these men served for approximately six months. Because of the large number of men who joined the Legion, it is believed that many of the men were discharged early or “detailed.”

The list contained in this publication was taken from the microfilmed copies of the service records of the men in the Cherokee Legion as found in the National Archives. It contains the man’s name, rank, company, enlistment data and other information as supplied in the service record. Some information relative to the service of the soldier in other regiments is also included where this could be determined or was included in the record. Other information came from persons who have submitted family information to the author. While the information was copied exactly as it appeared on the microfilm, the reader is advised that the information could contain mistakes as record keeping in the 1860’s was not always accurate. The reader is encouraged to verify information through other sources. Attention should also be directed to the listing at the end of the publication concerning Georgia Pensions. This list may provide information useful to researchers including spelling variations of the names and other units in which the men served.

The microfilm used in the compilation of this publication has been donated to the R.T. Jones Library in Canton, Georgia. Readers who wish to view the original microfilm can do so at this library. The microfilm may also be available at other libraries.

This publication is available from the author for $20.00 postpaid. The address is: 174 Beaver Pond Drive, Woodstock, GA 30188. Readers are encouraged to submit information concerning individual soldiers to the author for inclusion in future editions. The author is appreciative of the following individuals who have supplied information concerning their families: Buddy Bell, Betty Chapman, Gene Chattin, Harold Dowda, Elaine Gorley, Carol Nygren and G. Parris. Currently the Cherokee Legion Camp 914 is working on a project to identify graves of Confederate soldiers in Cherokee County. Information from this project will be incorporated into future editions of this publication.

C. Pat Cates cpcates@bellsouth.net Woodstock, Georgia September 2000