Pushmataha
Pushmataha (c. 1764 – December 24, 1824; also spelled Pooshawattaha, Pooshamallaha, or Poosha Matthaw), the "Indian General", was one of the three regional chiefs of the major divisions of the Choctaw in the 19th century. Many historians considered him the "greatest of all Choctaw chiefs". Pushmataha was highly regarded among Native Americans, Europeans, and white Americans, for his skill and cunning in both war and diplomacy.
Pushmataha | |
|---|---|
| Apushamatahahubi (Choctaw) | |
Pushmataha, 1824, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America | |
| High Chief of the Choctaws | |
| In office 1815–1824 | |
| Succeeded by | Chief Oklahoma (nephew) |
| Chief of the Six Towns District | |
| In office 1800–1824 | |
| Succeeded by | Tappenahoma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1764 Taladega, Choctaw Nation |
| Died | December 24, 1824 (aged 59–60) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C. |
| Children | 5 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Choctaw Nation United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Rejecting the offers of alliance and reconquest proffered by Tecumseh, Pushmataha led the Choctaw to fight on the side of the United States in the War of 1812. He negotiated several treaties with the United States.
In 1824, he traveled to Washington to petition the Federal government against further cessions of Choctaw land; he met with John C. Calhoun and Marquis de Lafayette, and his portrait was painted by Charles Bird King. He died in the capital city and was buried with full military honors in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.