Opothleyaholo (tribal leader)
Opothleyaholo was a prominent Creek tribal leader known for his role during the Creek Wars of 1813-1814, where he aligned with the Red Sticks, a faction of traditional Creek warriors, against General Andrew Jackson's forces. Following the war, he emerged as a key opponent of an illegal treaty that ceded a significant portion of Creek land, opposing the actions of William McIntosh, the leader of the rival White Sticks faction. In the years that followed, Opothleyaholo was involved in several significant diplomatic efforts, including leading a delegation to Washington, D.C. in 1825-1826 to protest against forced removal of the Creek people. He signed the Treaty of Washington in 1826, which resulted in the ceding of much, but not all, Creek territory, and a subsequent treaty in 1832. Despite his efforts to resist removal to Indian Territory, including attempts to purchase land in Mexico, he and his followers were forcibly relocated in 1836. In Indian Territory, Opothleyaholo became a head chief of the reunited Creek factions and advocated for peaceful relations with white settlers. His leadership continued through the tumult of the Civil War, during which he supported the Union before ultimately fleeing to Kansas after military defeat. Opothleyaholo passed away shortly thereafter, leaving a complex legacy within Creek history.
Opothleyaholo (tribal leader)
- Born: c. 1798
- Birthplace: Creek Nation, Georgia
- Died: 1862
- Place of death: Near Leroy Creek, Kansas
Category: Tribal leader
Tribal affiliation: Creek
Significance: Both in Georgia and after removal to Indian Territory, Opothleyaholo was a tribal leader for the Creeks
As a leader of the traditional Creek warrior faction, the Red Sticks, Opothleyaholo fought with principal Creek leader William Weatherford against General Andrew Jackson in the Creek Wars of 1813-1814. Thereafter, Opothleyaholo was one of several chiefs opposing an illegal treaty ceding twenty-five million acres of Creek land, signed by William McIntosh, leader of the peace faction, the White Sticks.
In 1825-1826, Opothleyaholo led a Creek delegation to Washington, D.C., protesting removal. He signed the Treaty of Washington, ceding many, but not all, Creek lands. He signed a second treaty in Washington in 1832. Resisting removal to Indian Territory, in 1834-1835, Opothleyaholo attempted purchasing land in Mexico. The Mexican government, however, was uncooperative, and in 1836, he and his people were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory. There he became a head chief for temporarily reunited Creek factions, counseling peace with whites. He supported the Union during the Civil War, fleeing to Kansas after defeat by Confederate forces. Opothleyaholo died shortly thereafter.