Pushmataha

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)[citation needed]
Chief of the Six Towns District
In office 1800–1824
Succeeded by	Tappenahoma[1]
Personal details
Born	c. 1764 Taladega, Choctaw Nation
Died	December 24, 1824(1824-12-24) (aged 59–60) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Children	5
Military career
Nickname(s)	"The Indian General"
Allegiance	Choctaw Nation  United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Brigadier general
Battles/wars	War of 1812 Creek War Battle of Holy Ground Battle of New Orleans

Pushmataha (c. 1764 – December 24, 1824; also spelled Pooshawattaha, Pooshamallaha, or Poosha Matthaw) 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".^[2] Pushmataha was highly regarded among Native Americans, Europeans, and white Americans, for his skill and cunning in both war and diplomacy.

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.