Watie was born in 1806 near Calhoun Georgia. Watie left for the Indian Territory in 1835 and was one of the Cherokee leaders before the Civil War. He was the only Native American Confederate General commanding the Confederate Indian Cavalry of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi. Watie was the highest ranked Native American in the Confederate army and renowned for his leadership in the Battle of Pea Ridge and other battles. He also was the last Confederate general to surrender, three months after Lee at Appomattox. Watie was the last Confederate General to surrender in June 1865. The author was the grandniece of Stand Watie.