John Drew (Cherokee)

John Drew
Cherokee leader
Personal details
Born
John Thompson Drew

(1796-12-25)December 25, 1796
Cherokee Nation (present day Georgia)
DiedAugust 26, 1865(1865-08-26) (aged 68)
Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation
Military service
AllegianceConfederate States
BranchConfederate States Army
Years of service1861–1862
RankColonel
Commands1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles
Battles

John Thompson Drew (1796 – August 25, 1865) was a mixed blood military and political leader of the Cherokee Nation. Born in 1796, there is little written about his life until he led a company of Cherokee emigrants from Georgia to Indian Territory.[1] He is best known for joining the Confederate army at the outbreak of the American Civil War, when he raised, organized and led the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles.