Thomas' Legion of Cherokees and Highlanders

69th North Carolina, Co. A

Re-enactors & Living Historians

As re-enactors, we are often asked why it is we do what we do.  Some of the things we hear are "The South lost, so why do you keep fighting it?", or, "Why do you spend your money and time to relive something that happened so long ago?"  For many of us, it is an opportunity to remember and honour the heritage and life of our forefathers.  Whether or not we agree with the side or cause they embraced, the very fact they suffered and sacrificed so much for their beliefs deserves to be remembered.  Others of us simply enjoy escaping the reality of the 21st Century rat-race for a few weekends every year and go blow up gunpowder at a bunch of other guys.  But don't take it from me, hear it from our members!

Introduced below are our members, both soldiers and civilians...

1st Lieutenant Mario

    Mario is our 1st Lieutenant and has been with our unit for several years.  He first started re-enacting about 7 years ago with another unit, but soon left to join when Captain Jason "Country" introduced him to the 69th.  Since being promoted from 1st Sergeant to his current commission early in 2009, he has proved his mettle time and again by his battlefield leadership in the absence of our captain.  Mario's hometown is Williston, Florida, and as a single man, is a favourite among the ladies at our Saturday balls and barn dances.  His favourite item of gear is his hat, which he is rarely seen without.  Mario also has Cherokee heritage, with some of his ancestors having fought in the Civil War.  When asked about his favorite figure in the War, he was unable to choose just one, and instead listed Gens. Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and Patrick Cleburne.  To quote him: "I first became interested in re-enacting when I saw the movie Gods and Generals.  I enjoyed studying history and thought, 'What a cool thing to do!'  So I went to a couple of re-enactments before I finally met up with a group to do it on my own."

    A military veteran he would like to honour is Philip G. Tyus

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Corporal Jackson

    Jackson is the 1st Corporal in our company.  He began re-enacting about 4 years ago and has been with our company for most of that time.  He hails from Titusville, Florida and is currently single.  To his knowledge, none of his ancestors were combatants in the Civil War, but that does not diminish his love for the history and hobby.  When interviewed, he said, "I got into the hobby to keep people informed on what the Civil War was actually about.  I have enjoyed the hobby for several years now and couldn't be happier.  It makes you feel like you're part of something huge.  I also like to see the spectators happy.  I also think that people who fly the Confederate flag with a meaning of hate should get a better understanding of what it really means.  Peace out, y'all!"  Like any great enlisted soldier, his favored item of gear is his .58 caliber musket and his favorite figure in the war is the great Gen. Lee.

    The Armed Forces veteran he would like to honour is his grandfather

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Private Joshua

"Widowmaker"

    Private Josh joined our unit at Mt. Dora/Townsend's Plantation in 2009, and while he did not take the field as a soldier until Atlanta 2009, he is perhaps our "most improved soldier."  Born in Arlington, Texas, he lives with his family near Jacksonville, Florida.  Like many others, his favorite article of gear is his .58 caliber Richmond musket, "Cherokee Rose."  When asked who his favored figure in the War is, he said there are too many to list!  He says "I think the best part of [re-enacting] is the camping.  I like to re-enact how it must have felt like in Civil War camps and the time to go into battle.  It is so much different actually living the life of a Civil War soldier than just reading or hearing about it."

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Private Cash

    Private Cash, a member of our unit since late 2008, was introduced to re-enacting by his soon-to-be uncle, Captain Country.  A native of St. Augustine, Florida, Cash is a young and enthusiastic soldier who, in a shift from other soldiers, chooses his tent as his favored piece of equipment.  While he cannot claim any Native American heritage, and none of his ancestors fought for either side in the War Between the States, neither fact diminishes his ardor for the South and her heritage.  His favorite figure in the war is General Robert E. Lee.  Cash says: "I was listening to [Captain's] stories one day and asked him about it.  It took me going to one re-enactment to get hooked and ever since that day I've loved re-enacting."  

    Cash wishes to acknowledge the sacrifice of his father, who was injured and discharged during training in the military.

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Corporal Tom

    Although a relative newcomer to the hobby, Tom is perhaps the most enthusiastic man in our ranks.  A native of Lackawanna, New York, he currently lives near Jacksonville, Florida and retired from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer.  Tom is married and the father of both Private Josh and Mrs. Melissa.  Despite his Yankee upbringing (and the ribbing he gets from it!), Cpl. Tom makes a fine Confederate soldier!  Tom is of pure Irish descent, his ancestors coming to our shores only a few generations before his.  As a result, his ancestors did not participate in the great American War, but like others, it does not subtract from his ability to love and portray our Southern heritage.  He entered our ranks in February 2009 and says his favorite part of uniform are his leathers, while Gen. Jeb Stuart is his Confederate hero.  To sum up how he feels about re-enacting, he says this: "I have had a passion for history for quite some time now and was introduced to Civil War re-enacting by my son-in-law (Sgt. John).  Participating as a re-enactor adds a dynamic element to the study of history.  It brings you back to a period of time that no American should forget about.  If I could say one thing to anyone who might have in interest in history, let me encourage you to join a unit and have a full, positive, and rewarding experience!"

    Tom wishes to honour his uncle Lt. Col. Bernard McDonnell

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