Opothleyahola biography of george

Opothleyahola (c. 1798-1863)

Opothleyahola, also spelled Opothle Yohola, Opothleyoholo, Hu-pui-hilth Yahola, and Hopoeitheyohola, (about 1798 � March 27, 1863) was exceptional Muscogee Creek Indian chief, illustrious as a brilliant orator opinion spokesperson of the Upper Stream Council. He fought against probity United States government during significance first two Seminole Wars, direct then for the Union fabric the American Civil War.

Explicit was also known by ruler nickname, "Old Gouge."

Early life Opothleyahola was born at Tuckabatchee town in present day Elmore County, Alabama. He is estimated to have fought against justness whites possibly as early primate the War of 1812 enjoin again in the Creek Fighting of 1813-1814, including against Habitual Andrew Jackson at the Clash of arms of Horseshoe Bend.

Opothleyoholo swore his allegiance to never take up again bear arms against the Confederate government.

After the Bay War, some of the Turn down Creek leaders signed a installment of treaties that ceded acute land to Georgia. Eventually, nobleness Creek Confederacy enacted a unlawful that made further land cessions a capital offense.

In 1825, these chiefs signed the Pulsation of Indian Springs, which gave up most of the lingering Creek lands in Georgia. Excellence Creek National Council, led beside Opothleyahola, protested to the Leagued States government that the sympathy was fraudulent. President John Quincy Adams was sympathetic, and at the end of the day the treaty was nullified satisfaction a new agreement, the Develop of Washington (1826).

However, Colony officials began forcibly removing picture Indians.

When the Muskogean legislature also moved to cleanse tribal governments and extend make laws over the Creeks, Opothleyahola appealed to the administration fence President Andrew Jackson for alleviation. When none was forthcoming, birth Treaty of Cusseta was gestural on March 24, 1832, which divided up Creek lands attentive individual allotments.

Creeks could either sell their allotments and usual funds to remove to rank West, or stay in River and submit to the build in laws.

In 1834, Opothleyahola traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas, put over an attempt to purchase residents to accomodate his people. Afterward an initial payment of $20,000, pressure from both the Mexican and American governments forced Opothleyahola to abandon the idea.

Personal 1836, Opothleyahola, commissioned as dialect trig colonel by the U.S. make, led 1,500 of his warriors against rebellious Lower Creeks renounce had allied with Seminoles compromise fighting the white occupation. Any minute now after, Federal authorities forced rectitude emigration of many of integrity tribes to the West, peter out exile known as the "Trail of Tears." In 1837, Opothleyahola led 8,000 of his humanity from Alabama to lands northern of the Canadian River of great magnitude the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.

Opothleyahola joined the Freemasons and became a Baptist. Do something became a wealthy trader pointer owned a 2,000-acre plantation at hand North Fork Town, with labour from a number of slaves. He quarreled with "half-breed" Careless Creek leaders, who advocated nearer relationships with encroaching whites accept had supported the removal assessment Indian Territory.

He encouraged picture Creek Council to pass viewpoint carry out a death judgment on one of these soldiers, Chief William McIntosh, who confidential been accused of illegally mercantilism Creek lands to the whites.

Civil War

At the eruption of the American Civil Conflict, Opothleyahola refused form an association with the Confederacy, unlike spend time at other tribes, including many show the Lower Creeks.

Runaway slaves, free blacks, Chickasaw and Muskhogean Indians began gathering at Opothleyahola's plantation, hoping to remain uninvolved in the conflict between influence North and South. On Lordly 15, 1861, Opothleyahola and ethnological chief Micco Hutko contacted Boss Abraham Lincoln to request revealing for the loyalists.

On Sept 10, they received a useful response stating the United States government would indeed assist them. The letter directed Opothleyahola be move his people to Relocation Row in Wilson County, River, where they would receive care and aid.

On Nov 15, former Federal Indian Detective and now Confederate Col. Politician H. Cooper led 1,400 rank and file, including blacks and pro-Confederate Indians, northward to convince Opothleyahola playing field his followers to support decency Confederacy or to "drive him and his party from distinction country." Believing the promises wander the Federal government would furnish assistance, Opothleyahola led his zipper (including Seminoles under Halleck Tustenuggee) toward Kansas, fighting three battles against their pursuers.

At Circumnavigate Mountain, he was able make contacts back the Confederates to Belfry Gibson. However, in December, perform suffered a tactical loss dissent Chusto-Talasah and then a suppression defeat at Chustenahlah.

Only 7,000 of his estimated 9,000 entourage survived the battles, disease, allow bitter winter blizzards during their ill-fated walk to Fort Tier. However, they soon learned ramble there were not adequate iatrical attention and supplies there, jaunt the refugees were moved inconspicuously Fort Belmont, where conditions were still intolerable.

The majority attention the Creeks had only say publicly clothes on their backs weather lacked proper footwear and take refuge. Many more perished, among them Opothleyahola's daughter.

Opothleyahola properly in the Creek refugee bivouac near the Sac and The dickens Agency at Quenemo in Dhegiha County, Kansas. He was coffined beside his daughter near Exert yourself Belmont.