In regards to the story below that Linda sent. I wonder if its really I.N. Parker? For Isaac Newton Parker,who was from Tonawanda Reservation and educated, son of Chief William Parker who was in the war of 1812 (as infered in the story)and wounded. Isaac was also Ely Parkers brother (who became secretary to Grant among other things) If it is Isaac he was denyed enterance several times. Yes it was racism in Western NY. (Although other northern states were inlisting them.) They finally gave in when numerous Iroquois in the state lobbyed and insisted. Isaac was mustered in in the spring of 1862 and was part of a troup I can't seem to find out much about unfortunately. It was D Company, 132 NYS Vol. Infantry and refered to as the Tuscarora Company. Seems after 1862 Native Americans were in the regular troups with no difference in pay, unlike the African American soldiers. Just in case you were all wondering. ;-) "Linda/Don" <donlinda@mybizz.net> wrote: >>Spirit of the Times>Batavia, Genesee County, New York State>November 9-1861>>            An Indian Volunteer.>    Mr. J.N. PARKER, the highly educated and talented Chief of the Tonawanda>Indians in this County, recently applied to be admitted into the Volunteer>service, to fight for and protect the flag and Government that has sheltered>him and the remnant of his once powerful tribe of brother Indians; but was>refused, at which he seems sorely grieved, if we may judge from the tone of>the following letter which he addresses, to the editor of the Buffalo>'Courier.'  He says:-->    "That was very queer to me, as I am personally knowing of several red>men who are now in the service--one in Elmira, several in Washington, and I>have a nephew in the Navy, who signed his name on board the U.S. steamer in>Michigan.  I, with hundreds of others like myself, would like to know if we>cannot go out into the field to defend our Stars and Stripes, that glorious>and noble flag.  Yes, the ! stars we saw when first we opened our eyes into>the world; and we were bred and raised under its noble stripes.  It taught>us to be loyal, to be patriotic, to be true to our country.  Yes, our>American eagle hovered over us in our infancy, and when we got to be men>that eagle now soars on high.  The red man would like nothing better than to>serve his country, to help save the country which is now weltering in its>disgrace.  Has not the red man a few grains of sand which he would love to>protect, which now cover the ashes of our immortal Washington?  Who can be>more loyal than one whose flesh and bones are composed of American soil?>    Many a noble warrior fought, bled, and died, upon the Niagara frontiers>in 1812, '13, '14, and '15, to protect his country, and even my aged father>of seventy winters, has fought and bled for his country.  In honor of having>bled for his country he is now a pensioner.  We are desirous of following in>the noble steps of our fathers.  Not only t! hat, but we hear in the wind as>it sweeps over the "mound" a voice calling upon us to defend our homes, our>country, at all times, and the Great Spirit whispers to us in our dreams,>calling upon us to uphold a country, to support a government which stands>upon a pillar of strength, a column of wisdom, and adorned with America's>beauty, the whole having for its foundation the Good Book.>    Who can be more patriotic than a red man?  He was planted upon America's>bosom, the red man's mother earth, by God himself.  The red man does not>wish to live under a government, to be governed by men whose very conduct,>deeds, and words, are prompted by the imps of the devil, and much less to be>made a slave.  Before submitting to that, the red man will fight.   He will>die a warrior's death, and occupy a warrior's grave, before he will see his>mother country fall into the skeleton grasp of our Southern sugar cane>brothers.>+>submitted by>Linda C. Schmidt>>>>----->List Admin - ny-rooters-! Owner@listserv.genexchange.com>NY GenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/state.cfm?state=NY>USGenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/us.cfm>Mailing Lists: http://www.genexchange.org/maillistform.cfm>> -- Cindy AmrheinTown of Alabama Historianin Genesee Co., NYExperience the Town of Alabama in Genesee County, NY. http://www2.pcom.net/cinjod/historian/APHNYS (Association of Public Historians of New York State)http://www.tier.net/aphnys __________________________________________________________________The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/