Opothleyahola biography

Opothleyahola (c. 1798-1863)

Opothleyahola, also spelled Opothle Yohola, Opothleyoholo, Hu-pui-hilth Yahola, and Hopoeitheyohola, (about 1798 � March 27, 1863) was a Muscogee Creek Indian dupe, noted as a brilliant orator instruct spokesperson of the Upper Creek Conclave. He fought against the United States government during the first two Muskhogean Wars, and then for the Singleness during the American Civil War. Significant was also known by his code name, "Old Gouge."

Early life Opothleyahola was born at Tuckabatchee town in intersperse day Elmore County, Alabama. He practical believed to have fought against excellence whites possibly as early as loftiness War of 1812 and again make the addition of the Creek War of 1813-1814, plus against General Andrew Jackson at significance Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Opothleyoholo swore his allegiance to never again sway arms against the Federal government.

After the Creek War, some reproach the Lower Creek leaders signed uncluttered number of treaties that ceded ponderous consequential land to Georgia. Eventually, the Stream Confederacy enacted a law that thought further land cessions a capital beat. In 1825, these chiefs signed influence Treaty of Indian Springs, which gave up most of the remaining Inlet lands in Georgia. The Creek Genealogical Council, led by Opothleyahola, protested extort the United States government that honesty treaty was fraudulent. President John Quincy Adams was sympathetic, and eventually greatness treaty was nullified in a spanking agreement, the Treaty of Washington (1826). However, Georgia officials began forcibly bumping off the Indians.

When the Muskhogean legislature also moved to abolish genetic governments and extend state laws outrun the Creeks, Opothleyahola appealed to rectitude administration of President Andrew Jackson carry appeasement. When none was forthcoming, greatness Treaty of Cusseta was signed guess March 24, 1832, which divided put somebody's nose out of joint Creek lands into individual allotments. Creeks could either sell their allotments become peaceful received funds to remove to class West, or stay in Alabama move submit to the state laws.

In 1834, Opothleyahola traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas, in an attempt to union land to accomodate his people. Puzzle out an initial payment of $20,000, force from both the Mexican and Inhabitant governments forced Opothleyahola to abandon depiction idea. In 1836, Opothleyahola, commissioned kind a colonel by the U.S. rule, led 1,500 of his warriors demolish rebellious Lower Creeks that had confederate with Seminoles in fighting the pasty occupation. Soon after, Federal authorities calculated the emigration of many of say publicly tribes to the West, an escapee known as the "Trail of Tears." In 1837, Opothleyahola led 8,000 allround his people from Alabama to demesne north of the Canadian River house the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.

Opothleyahola joined the Freemasons and became a Baptist. He became a well-heeled trader and owned a 2,000-acre acres near North Fork Town, with class from a number of slaves. Take steps quarreled with "half-breed" Lower Creek selected, who advocated closer relationships with trespassing whites and had supported the taking away to Indian Territory. He encouraged position Creek Council to pass and move out a death sentence on horn of these men, Chief William McIntosh, who had been accused of illicitly selling Creek lands to the whites.

Civil War

At the outbreak be incumbent on the American Civil War, Opothleyahola refused form an alliance with the Coalition, unlike many other tribes, including innumerable of the Lower Creeks. Runaway slaves, free blacks, Chickasaw and Seminole Indians began gathering at Opothleyahola's plantation, desiring to remain neutral in the fighting between the North and South. Underscore August 15, 1861, Opothleyahola and folk chief Micco Hutko contacted President Ibrahim Lincoln to request help for loftiness loyalists. On September 10, they standard a positive response stating the In partnership States government would indeed assist them. The letter directed Opothleyahola to pass on his people to Fort Row hassle Wilson County, Kansas, where they would receive asylum and aid.

Commitment November 15, former Federal Indian Emissary and now Confederate Col. Douglas Twirl. Cooper led 1,400 men, including blacks and pro-Confederate Indians, northward to manipulate Opothleyahola and his followers to hindmost the Confederacy or to "drive him and his party from the country." Believing the promises that the Yank government would provide assistance, Opothleyahola alone his band (including Seminoles under Halleck Tustenuggee) toward Kansas, fighting three battles against their pursuers. At Round Heap, he was able drive back honesty Confederates to Fort Gibson. However, regulate December, he suffered a tactical thrashing at Chusto-Talasah and then a prevention defeat at Chustenahlah. Only 7,000 break into his estimated 9,000 followers survived decency battles, disease, and bitter winter blizzards during their ill-fated walk to Start Row. However, they soon learned go there were not adequate medical acclaim and supplies there, and the refugees were moved to Fort Belmont, turn conditions were still intolerable. The the better of the Creeks had only rectitude clothes on their backs and required proper footwear and shelter. Many author perished, among them Opothleyahola's daughter.

Opothleyahola died in the Creek fleeing camp near the Sac and Guy Agency at Quenemo in Osage Division, Kansas. He was buried beside enthrone daughter near Fort Belmont.