The Oneida Nation in Wisconsin is documenting the role its members played in the Civil War.

Under the Conscription Law, tribal members were paid $300 to join the Union Army. But they were enlisted under the names of non-Indians.

"There was tremendous draft dodging by white guys," James Overman, who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, told The Green Bay Press-Gazette. "So the government went after what they called the poor Indian dirt farmers."

Overman's grandfather served in the Civil War, along with about half of the Oneida male population at the time. According to the tribe, 45 were killed, went missing or died of disease.

Overman says his grandfather and other Oneidas deserve the Purple Heart for serving during the Civil War.

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Oneida Tribe of Indians' Civil War role emerges (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 4/13)