J'wan,
My name is Marilyn Mejorado-Livingston and I am the Bear Clanmother, Tribal Historian, and Office manager of the Southern Band Tuscarora Tribe in Bertie Co NC.
I wrote Onkwehonweh-the first people-Tuscarora in 97.

My fathers mother was born in Wolf Creek Swain Co. and was Tslagi. My mother is Tuscarora.

And I have a lot of local lore and historical info on the original Buffaloe Soldiers. Many of whom were conscripted into the Confederate Army at gunpoint, and later went to the Union Army and were named the Buffaloe Soldiers. The name originated because the buffaloes ie. Indians here, knew the land like the back of their hands.

My grgrgreatuncle was Lt. Charles Barneycastle and he was Tuscaroran and a buffaloe soldier. He among many other Tuscaroran men were in the 2nd regiment NC Union Volunteers. Cpt. Calvin Hoggard also Tuscaroran Indian was referred to as "Yee Chieftian of yee Buffaloes" by a Confederate Commander (can't remember his name right off but can get the info for you).

When the Confederate Army captured the Buffaloe's they hung them on site. Unless they could escape into the swamps like they did at the battle of Batchelor's Bay in Plymouth NC. They hid three days in two to three feet of water in the swamps after the fall of batchelor's Bay ie Plymouth. They were described as having sallow skin, stringy black long hair tied back, dark eyes and lanky. Others that could pass were sent to Andersonville prison in GA, form which very few made it home.

They also were the first to lay depth charges by rowing canoes across the Roanoke River laying explosives across the river tied together, in an effort to sink the Iron Maiden.

This was long before the first Black regiments were allowed to fight. Today many people believe the Buffaloes were only black, this is untrue, and I am so glad to come across your site, finally someone is looking for Native Americans who fought in the Civil War. We had a load of them here!

Nyeahweh (Thank You) Ken for your site,
please check our site out www.southern-band-tuscarora.com
Marilyn