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. 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.