Abstract:
William Holland Thomas was born fatherless near Raccoon Creek in Haywood County. The local Cherokee tribe leader, Yonaguska, adopts the young boy and becomes the father-figure in young William's life. Their bond grows and William becomes infallibly loyal to the Cherokee nation and their cause. He later encouraged them to fight for the Confederacy and even organized them into what would be called Thomas' Legion of Indians and Highlanders in 1862.