Opothle Yahola Contributed and transcribed by Woodson County Commissioner Bill Linde. ------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. -------------------------------------------------------------- WOODSON COUNTY KANSAS The Civil War Comes To Woodson County Opothleyoholo Opothle Yahola " Hope " Opothle Yahola was born in the late 1700's in the tribal town of Tuckabatchee in the Creek homeland of Alabama. In the early times the Creeks owned all the lands in what is now Alabama and Georgia. Opothle Yahola was recognized at an early age as being a great speaker and leader for the for the Upper Creek Indian Nation. At the age of fifteen he had participated in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in the War Of 1812. A battle between Creek Indians and a force of militia and regulars under General Andrew Jackson, March 27th, 1814, in the bend of the Tallapoosa River, in what is now Eastern Alabama. Jackson and his men had pursued the Creeks in a long campaign, an coming upon them in an entrenched position killed all but a few. The battle destroyed the Creek power. It was after this war that he became the principal speaker for the council of the Upper Creek Indian Nation. In the year, 1832, he adamantly opposed the removal of their nation from their beloved homelands. Despite his opposition to the removal, he could not stop the flood of the white people pushing to take over all of their beloved home- lands The following is a moving speech Opothle Yahola made to his people before they began their journey of the the heart breaking "Trail of Tears" that would take them to their new lands in Oklahoma Territory: "My brothers, many, many years ago, when I was a child, there was a beautiful island in the middle of the Chattahoochee River. It was covered with stately trees, and carpeted with green grass. When the Indian was hungry and he could not find game elsewhere, he could always go to that island and kill a deer. An unwritten law forbade the killing of more than one deer and even then the hunter might only resort to the island when everything else had failed. The banks of that island were a sandy soil. As the floods of the river rolled in on its sides, the banks wore away and the island shrunk. When our people left that country the island had become so small, there was only room for two or three of the great trees and most of the green grass was gone. The deer, once so plentiful there, had entirely disappeared. I have since learned that there is a new kind of grass, which if it had been planted on the banks of the beautiful island, it might have saved it. The grass strikes its roots deeply into the sandy soil and binds it so firmly that the water of the floods cannot wear it away. My brothers, we Indians are like that island in the middle of the river. The white man comes upon us like a flood. We crumble and fall even as the sandy soil banks of that beautiful island in the Chattahoochee River. The Great Spirit knows and you know that I would stay that flood which comes to us to wear us away, if I could. As well, we might try to push back the flood of the river itself. This island, in the river, might have been saved by planting a long root of grass upon it’s banks. So, let us save our people by educating our boys and girls, young men and young women in the ways of the white man. There they may be planted deeply around us and our people may stand unmoved by the flood of the white man." The Creek Nation did rebuild their homes. They planted crops and prospered in their new homeland, during the years preceding the Civil War. During this time period, the problems that previously existed between the Upper and Lower Creek Nations, continued to exist. There was much bitterness between the two factions. The Upper Creek faction, the full-bloods, believed in adhering to the traditional ways that served their ancestors for untold generations. The Lower Creek faction, the mixed-bloods, favored adopting the white mans ways. At the outbreak of the Civil War the Creek Nation was once again divided into warring factions. The Lower Creek Nation sympathies were in favor of the Confederacy , while the Upper Creek Nation wished to remain neutral, but in reality favored the Union. After the defeat of the Creek Nation at the Battle of Horse Shoe Bend, Opothleyoholo swore never to bear arms against the Union Forces of the United States of America. The tragedy that befell Opothle Yahola and his loyal followers, who wanted to remain neutral and apart from what they considered the "White Mans War", is almost beyond comprehension. In a war that pitted brother against brother and family against family, none would accept neutrality. The pressure of having to choose a definite side in the war was overwhelming, even to the great Opothle Yahola. He withdrew to his plantation near North Fork Town, Oklahoma Territory, there he gathered his people. A letter was dispatched to President Abraham Lincoln asking for Union protection. The letter was from Speaker, Opothle Yahola and Principal Chief of the Upper Creek Nation, Oktarharsars Harjo. They held little hope for federal relief and began to prepare for their own defense and their eventual exodus into Kansas. However, they did receive positive response from Washington stating the United States Government would assist the Indians and directed Yahola to move his people to Fort Row, Kansas, where they would receive asylum and aid. Their hope was to remain neutral and wait out the war, but this was not to be. Unfriendly neutrals were not tolerated in the new Southern domain. November of 1861, marked the beginning of the relentless and merciless pursuit of Opothle Yahola and his people. Colonel Cooper, Commander of the Indian Confederacy, had enlisted a striking force of 1,400 officers and men. These were the ninth Texas Calvary, six companies of the first Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, the first Creek Calvary Regiment, and the first Seminole Calvary Battalion. Colonel Cooper directed Colonel Quayle, commander of the Texans to pursue Opothle Yahola’s trail. Finding what they thought was the Creek encampment, the Regiment thundered in for the attack. What they found was a deserted scout outpost. The Texans chased the Creek scouts across the rolling prairie. What they didn’t realize was the Creek scouts, under Opothle Yahola’s orders, had led them into an ambush. The surprised Texans retreated. Colonel Cooper came to Quayle’s aid, but nightfall reduced their visibility. Opothle Yahola’s scouts set fire to tall prairie grass, thus creating a diversion which let Yahola’s people escape. This ended the Battle of Round Mountain, the first battle of the Civil War, fought in Oklahoma Territory. Colonel Cooper continued his relentless pursuit. On the morning of December 19, 1861, Cooper led his army along the east bank of Bird Creek. Suddenly members of Cooper’s reconnaissance patrol returned with alarming news that they had encountered and exchanged shots with Yahola’s army. (Yahola’s army consisted of about 2,000 men of the age of braves and the rest were elders, men and women, mothers and children fleeing the perils of war. At the offset of their journey, their numbers were about 8,000. ) Colonel Cooper began to hear shots toward the rear of his column. Yahola’s forces were attacking Cooper’s main column. In reality Opothle Yahola had sent only 200 of his force to attack Cooper’s column. He wanted the Confederate officers to act quickly with a counter attack. The Confederates acted just as the great leader had hooped they would. Yahola had deployed his fighting force in the heavy timber along Bird Creek. This place was called "Caving Banks," by the whites and "Chusto Talosah", by the Indians. It is located 2 miles north and 1 mile west of present day Turley, Oklahoma. The Confederates dismounted and entered the heavy timber. Heavy fire and vicious hand to hand combat developed. Each side launched savage forays and counter attacks. The fighting raged for hours with nightfall breaking off the battle. Cooper’s forces withdrew, because of the lack of supplies. Yahola took this opportunity also and continued to lead his people to a safe haven in Kansas. Cooper with reinforcements moved out just before Christmas, continuing his pursuit of Yahola. Cooper traveled up the north side of the Arkansas River to cut off the rear escape of Yahola’s group. On December 26, 1861, the Confederates moved cautiously toward the location of Yahola’s camp on Hominy Creek located northwest of present Tulsa and west of Skiatook. This battle was called "Chustenahlah." The confederates won this battle forcing Opothle Yahola and his loyal refuges to flee, leaving behind all their possessions and supplies. This did not deter Cooper, he continue his relentless hunt for Yahola and his people. Tremendous suffering accompanied Opothle Yahola and his loyal Indian refugees. The weather was very severe. Many refugees were naked or nearly naked and without proper protection. Snow and sleet hampered their removal to Kansas. Many perished along the trail, their bodies lying frozen atop the ground. Blood and death dotted the trail for miles. The Civil War and Native American Suffering. A Trail of Broken Promises Leads To The Boundaries Woodson County Kansas At last Opothle Yahola and his people reached Fort Row in Kansas. Instead of finding the help they desperately needed, they found only continued misery and broken promises. The refugees were moved to the Verdigris River and Big Sandy Valley in southern Woodson County. Some of the refugees were located at Ft. Belmont. Without clothing, food and proper shelter, 240 of the refugees died within the first two months of 1862. Over 100 frozen limbs were amputated, one little creek boy had both feet taken off. Opothle Yahola’s daughter was one of the 240 that perished. She is buried on a hill which overlooks old Fort Belmont in Woodson County, Kansas. The Creek leader pleaded once more for assistance from Union authorities for the supplies they were promised and needed. When the supplies finally reached the loyal Indian refugees, they were not enough and what food was provided was not edible. Some of the refugees were moved up to the Neosho River, to LeRoy and Neosho Falls. The plight of these loyal Indians continued to worsen and some were moved out again to the Sac and Fox agency. Thousands of these loyal Indian refugees perished from Fort Row in Wilson County, to Belmont in Woodson County and to LeRoy in Coffey County, Kansas. The suffering and loss of the dignity of Opothle Yahola and his people endured is beyond words to portray. Most of these people were plantation owners, their slaves accompanied them in their flight to asylum. Opothle Yahola died in March of 1863. He was buried beside his beloved princes daughter on a hill that overlooks old Fort Belmont in Woodson County, Kansas. He did not live to see the final outcome of the Civil War in Indian Territory. Opothle Yahola led his people through the many changes forced upon Indians. Through ravages of wars, removal, more wars and misery, he led his always believing in the Treaty he signed with the white man’s government. His journeys led his people down many paths, always holding the interests of his people above all. No Creek Native American has matched the greatness of "Opothle Yahola". Indeed, Opothle Yahola was the "Hope" for the Upper Creek Nation! By Linda Niemeyer, Woodson County Preservation Association Kansas Moves To Recognize Opothle Yahola HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No.5014 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION designating certain areas in the Verdigris, Neosho, Fall River and The Big and Little Sandy Creek Valleys as the "Opothle Yahola Historic Trail." WHEREAS, On August 15, 1861, Micco Hutko, Chief, and Opothle Yahola (Yahola), Speaker, of the Upper Towns, Muskogee (Creek) Indian Nation contacted President Abraham Lincoln to request help for thousands of loyal Native People living in the Muskogee Nations in the Indian territory. On September 10, 1861, a positive response to this request sent to Yahola stating the United States government would assist the Indians and directed Yahola to move his people to Fort Row, Kansas, where they would receive asylum and aid, and WHEREAS, In November of 1861 after learning of the offer of asylum, forces of the Confederacy under Colonel Douglas Cooper began a relentless pursuit of Yahola and his refugees. On December 26, 1861, after two consecutive battles won by Yahola and his followers, Colonel Cooper launched another attack in the battle of "Chustenahlah." Yahola and his followers were defeated, and they were forced to flee without their possessions and supplies; and WHEREAS, Colonel Cooper continued his pursuit of Yahola and the refugees. Yahola guided thousands of them toward the offered safe haven of Kansas. They passed through the valleys of the Verdigris, Neosho and Fall rivers, and the Big and Little Sandy Creek Valleys toward their destinations of Fort Row, in Wilson County, and Fort Belmont in Woodson County, and WHEREAS, Yahola and his followers suffered greatly from the severe winter weather conditions, the pursuit by Confederate forces and the lack of proper clothing and food. Many of them perished, leaving a trail of blood and death to their destination, and WHEREAS, Adequate medical attention and supplies did not reach Fort Row and the refugees were moved to Fort Belmont where conditions were still intolerable. Most of the refugees had only the clothes on their backs and lacked proper footwear and shelter. Many perished, among them, was Yahola’s daughter who was buried at Fort Belmont; and WHEREAS, Some of the refugees were moved to the Neosho River, to Neosho Falls in Woodson County and to Leroy in County. Eventually some were moved to the Sac and Fox agency located in Osage County; and WHEREAS, After much suffering and loss of dignity, Yahola died on or about March 27, 1863, was buried by his daughter on a hill that overlooks old Fort Belmont, where many of his loyal followers were also laid to rest; and WHEREAS, Yahola led his people through many changes forced upon Native People of America. Through the ravages of wars, relocation and misery, he led his people with faith in the treaties he signed with the United States government and he always held the well-being and interests of his beloved people above all; and WHEREAS, Yahola was the greatest of the Creek leaders and was the hope for the survival of the Upper Towns, Muskogee (Creek) Indian Nation; and WHEREAS, The designation will recognize the significance of the Native Indian cultures, their importance to the multi cultural history of Kansas and will commemorate the contributions to Kansas history made by Yahola, Speaker, Prophet and Medicine Man of the Upper Towns, Muskogee (Creek) Indians: Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas, the Senate concurring therein: That we designate certain areas of the Verdigris, Neosho and Fall Rivers and the Big and Little Sandy Creek valleys as the "OPOTHLE YAHOLA HISTORIC TRAIL"; and Be it further resolved: That the trail be marked on U. S. Highway 75 from the Oklahoma-Kansas state line into Osage County to designate locations of the trail; and Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to deliver six enrolled copies of this resolution to Representative Chronisteer. I hereby certify that the above CONCURRENT RESOLUTION originated in the HOUSE, and was adopted by that body. March 6, 1995 (Signature) Speaker of the House (Signature) Chief Clerk of the House Adopted by the SENATE March 14, 1995 (Signature) President of the Senate. (Signature) Secretary of the Senate. The above piece of Legislature was accomplished after long hours of dedicated historians working to preserve the perils endured by many during the Civil War. The information contained in this document, represents many long hours of research into the files of Oklahoma Territory as well as that of the families of the people that the Creek Nation touched during their exodus into Kansas. One of these families was that of my Great Great Grandfather, Major General John B. Scott. Commanding General of the Neosho Valley Home Guard Unit of the Kansas 9th Calvary. STATE OF KANSAS (Seal) OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR March 3, 1995 Dear Friends: History is immutable. We cannot undo the deeds of the past. They are as fixed as if they were written in stone, rather than upon the winds of time. But if we cannot change the past, we can change how we view it. We take a step in that direction today with the signing of House Concurrent Resolution 5014. For on this day, the people of Kansas honor the greatness of Opothle Yahola and acknowledge the tragedy that befell the Muskogee (Creek) Indian Nation during their exodus from Indian territory to Kansas. By the standards of any time and of any people, Opothle Yahola was a great and good man. Wise, courageous and compassionate, he was dedicated to his people and their well being. In a time of great change, he labored to smooth the path before before them. Although his efforts were largely unsuccessful, the failure was not his, but belonged to a time that neither valued diversity nor difference. Opothle Yahola’ greatness is seen in two ways. First, he was the hope of his people. Through wars, broken treaties and exile, he remained strong and retained a vision of a brighter future; a vision founded not on political reality, but on the potential of his people. Finally, he shared in the lives of his people. He knew both their prosperity and their suffering; their laughter and heartache. I am proud of Opothle Yahola, of his courage and sacrifice and of his love for his people. And, today, I am proud to honor him, to participate in activities that will restore the good name of Opothle Yahola to the pages of Kansas History. On this day, may his descendants and all the people of the Muskogee Indian Nation reclaim Opothle Yahola’s vision of a bright future in which all the people of America live in harmony. Sincerely, (Signature) BILL GRAVES Governor Note: On March 6th, 1995, the above letter and a copy of the HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 5014. Were presented to Thomas Yahola, Felix and Thompson Gouge, descendants of the great Opothle Yahola. As a representative of the Woodson County Preservation Association, I was honored to be in attendance. There are many more stories of the deeds of this leader. They are recorded in the many history books of our nation. Robert DeMoss has written of the heroics of this individual in his book, " Exodus to Glory".