''Tustenuggee'' ( in

Muscogee The Muscogee, also known as the Mvskoke, Muscogee Creek or just Creek, and the Muscogee Creek Confederacy ( in the Muscogee language; English: ), are a group of related Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands Here they waged war again ...

) was a Muscogee title for the war leader of a

tribal town A tribal town (Muscogee ''talwa'', Hitchiti ''okla'') was a form of political and social organization of people in what is now the southeastern United States from at least the 16th century into the 19th century. It had aspects of both a town and a ...

. The ''tustenuggee'' was appointed by the ''micco'' (civil chief), and was responsible for leading the towns' warriors, advising the civil chief on matters relating to war, maintaining public order, and organizing

stickball Stickball is a street game similar to baseball, usually formed as a pick-up game played in large cities in the Northeastern United States, especially New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. The equipment consists of a broom handle and a rubber ...

games with other towns. Most

Seminole The Seminole are a Native American people who developed in Florida in the 18th century. Today, they live in Oklahoma and Florida, and comprise three federally recognized tribes: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, ...

leaders from the period of the

Seminole Wars The Seminole Wars (also known as the Florida Wars) were a series of three military conflicts between the United States and the Seminoles that took place in Florida between about 1816 and 1858. The Seminoles are a Native American nation which co ...

are known by their war titles, which were always Muscogee in form, no matter what their primary language was. Tustenuggee has also become the surname of some descendants of

Black Seminoles The Black Seminoles, or Afro-Seminoles, are an ethnic group of mixed Native Americans in the United States, Native American and African American, African origin associated with the Seminole people in Florida and Oklahoma. They are mostly blood de ...

, probably from the association of an ancestor with a Seminole holding the title of ''tustenuggee''. Most of the following ''tustenuggees'' are known from the first half of the 19th century in Florida, primarily from the

Second Seminole War The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between the United States and groups of people collectively known as Seminoles, consisting of Muscogee, Creek and Black Seminoles as well as oth ...

: * Chitto Tustenuggee, known as "Snake Warrior" to whites. He was sent by Abiaka to negotiate with the U.S. Army in 1839, and reached an (ultimately unsuccessful) agreement with General Alexander Macomb to end the Second Seminole War with the Seminoles staying in southern Florida. * Coosa Tustenuggee, a leader of the

Mikasuki The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians ( /ˌmɪkəˈsuki/, MIH-kə-SOO-kee) is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the U.S. state of Florida. Together with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, it is one of ...

s in northern Florida until he agreed to go West in 1840. * Halleck Tustenuggee, he fought against the U.S. Army until captured in 1842. He later fought on the Union side in the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

. * Halpatter Tustenuggee, known as "Alligator" to whites. He was a leader in the

Battle of Lake Okeechobee The Battle of Lake Okeechobee was one of the major battles of the Seminole Wars. It was fought between 1,000 U.S. Army troops of the 1st, 4th, and 6th Infantry Regiments and 132 Missouri Volunteers under the command of Colonel Zachary Taylor, ...

and in raids along the lower (northern)

St. Johns River The St. Johns River () is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and is the most significant one for commercial and recreational use. At long, it flows north and winds through or borders 12 counties. The drop in elevation from River s ...

in 1842. * Oscen Tustenuggee, a leader in the Third Seminole War. * Souanaffee Tustenukke, a

Black Seminole The Black Seminoles, or Afro-Seminoles, are an ethnic group of mixed Native American and African origin associated with the Seminole people in Florida and Oklahoma. They are mostly blood descendants of the Seminole people, free Africans, and e ...

known as "

Abraham Abraham (originally Abram) is the common Hebrews, Hebrew Patriarchs (Bible), patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father who began the Covenant (biblical), covenanta ...

" to whites. * Thlocklo Tustenuggee, known as "Tiger Tail" to whites. His full title may indicate a high rank. Several towns could join together in a war and choose a ''tustenuggee thlacko'' as overall leader. * Tustanagee Hopae, known as Little Prince to whites. He was a leader in the Lower Towns of the Muscogee Confederacy.

References

Sources

* {{Set index article Titles and offices of Native American leaders