Shawn,
I would like to know more about your ancestor!

The Indian Home Guards were three regiments of Native American Troops with white officers that were technically Kansas regiments. The soldiers were predominately from the Indian Territory. These regiments formed what is known as the Union Indian Brigade. The first regiment was predominately Creek (Muscogee). The second was about half Cherokee and the third all (or nearly all) Cherokee.

These units saw service in Kansas, SW Missouri, and NW Arkansas but spent most of their enlistment in Indian Territory with brigade headquarters at Ft Gibson.

The best source is Wiley Britton's book "Union Indian Brigade". Britton was in the 6th KS Cavalry which was part of this brigade.

Ken