Little Prince (chief) facts for kids
Little Prince (also known as Tastanaki Hopayi or Tustanagee Hopae) was an important leader of the Muscogee people. His name in the Muscogee language, Tvstanagi Hopvyē, means "Far Warrior". He was a respected chieftain (a type of leader) for the Lower Creeks from the 1780s until he passed away in 1832. For many years in the early 1800s, he and another leader named Big Warrior shared the top leadership roles in the Creek National Council, which was like their government.
Early Life and Role in Conflicts
Little Prince first appears in historical records around 1780. At that time, he was a chieftain living in a place called Broken Arrow. During the summer of 1780, he joined a British agent named John Tate. Tate was leading a group of warriors from both the Upper and Lower Creek tribes. Their goal was to help Colonel Thomas Brown, who was defending the city of Augusta, Georgia against American forces.
The Battle of Augusta
Sadly, John Tate died on the way to Augusta. After this, most of the Upper Creek warriors went back home. However, Little Prince and his 250 warriors kept going towards Augusta. They arrived just in time to join the Battle of Augusta. Little Prince bravely led an attack to try and break the siege (when an army surrounds a place to cut it off) that Colonel Elijah Clarke had set up. During this fight, about 70 of Little Prince's warriors were injured or killed.
After the American forces pulled back, some American prisoners were given to the Creek warriors. Historians are not sure how much control Little Prince had over his warriors at this specific moment. However, his ally, Efa Tustenuggee, was known for being very strong in his feelings against the white settlers.
Working for Peace
In 1796, Little Prince signed the Treaty of Colerain. A treaty is an official agreement between groups or nations. After signing this treaty, he became a strong supporter of peaceful relationships with the United States government. Even though he worked for peace, he did take part in the Creek War in 1813.
During the spring of 1813, Little Prince and seven other chieftains were involved in the execution of another warrior named Little Warrior. Despite this event, Little Prince kept his important position as a leader of the Lower Creek people until his death in 1832.
Little Prince also ran a tavern (a place where travelers could stop for food and rest) along the Federal Road. This road was an important path through Creek lands in a place now known as Creek Stand, Alabama.
