The roster of the 1st Cherokee Mtd Volunteers (Watie's Regiment) shows:

Cunningham, Lewis -- Pvt.
Co. A (1st Org) -- July 12, 1861 Cherokee Nation
Co. B (2nd Org)

Roll June 30, 1863 shows he died January 30, 1863 at Camp Stuart. Age 35, 6 ft tall, dark complexion, dark eyes, black hair, farmer, born in Alabama.

Co. A, 1st Org, was commanded by Capt. Buzzard. The company enrolled for one year beginning July 12, 1861.

Co. B, 2nd Org, was commanded by Capt Benjamin Wisner. The company was enrolled July 12, 1862 for 2 years.

Camp Stuart was in the Canadian River bottoms in the Choctaw Nation (i.e., on the south side of the Canadian) most likely between the present towns of Eufaula and Whitefield and probably under Lake Eufaula. I don't know the exact location but they crossed the Canadian River at Tom Starr's place and camped in the bottoms near Joe Cribb's (Krebs?). Starr's place was immediately south-southwest of Briartown on the north side of the Canadian where the Starr Cemetery is located. (Tom was to become the father-in-law of Belle Starr, "Queen of the Outlaws", after the war). I have not been able to locate Joe Cribb's place but it is clearly not near the present town of Krebs.

In January 1863, the regiment was suffering terribly from extreme cold weather and snow. Literally hundreds of horses and mules died. Their mules were two weak "to pull empty wagons". Warm clothing was scarce and some men were barefoot. Food was scarce except beef. Many men were sick and they had no medicines though they had sent to Texas for what they could get.

Browsing down the names in 1st Co. A, it is my impression from the names that there were a number of full bloods in this company. The full bloods were more likely to use their Cherokee names (such as "Tah skee ge tekee") or the anglicized version of their names (such as the captain, "Buzzard").

He was nearly too young to be a "Ridge supporter" but I assume that just means politically aligned with Watie and Treaty Party, which makes sense since he was in Watie's Regiment. Not all full bloods were Ross Party or Keetoowah, obviously, though the majority were.

Now I want to know everything you know or can find out about him!!!