Decades later, cross that marked Cherokee Nation general's grave is returned

(Tahlequah-AP) -- An iron cross that once marked the grave of a Cherokee general has been returned to the tribe.<br/><br/>The rusty cross that went on Stand Watie's grave was returned to the Cherokee

Monday, June 28th 2004, 6:15 am

By: News On 6

(Tahlequah-AP) -- An iron cross that once marked the grave of a Cherokee general has been returned to the tribe.

The rusty cross that went on Stand Watie's grave was returned to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma during a ceremony in Tahlequah Sunday.

The cross sat in Floyd Lyerla's basement for more than a decade before a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans visited Lyerla looking for something else.

Lyerla showed the cross to Bob Freeman, who recognized it immediately.

Watie was a controversial figure within the tribe. He led Cherokee forces under the Confederacy during the Civil War.

He was the last Confederate general to surrender.

The Daughters of the Confederacy placed the cross on Watie's grave before World War One but it was stolen.