By the summer of 1865, almost every single Confederate general had surrendered to a Union Army. The one exception was a truly unique general, as Stand Watie was the only Native American General on either side and the self proclaimed Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Watie was opposed in his stance by most Cherokees, particularly by the long ruling Principal Chief, John Ross. The enmity between Stand Watie and John Ross dated to the 1830s and the Indian Removal Act, when Stand Watie and his brothers argued for agreeing to a treaty and self removal. Ross and most Cherokees wanted to remain firm, so Watie led the "Treaty Party" and signed The Treaty of New Echota behind Ross' back. This would lead to the Trail of Tears and a forced removal to Indian Territory. When the Civil War broke out, unsurprisingly, Watie and Ross were on opposite sides. Watie's 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles fought throughout the war, but with declining numbers as more Cherokees opposed the Confederacy. Watie was so attached he would be the last general to surrender to Union forces.