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Elias Boudinot (1802–1839) was born as Gallegina “Buck” Watie into an important Cherokee family in present-day Georgia. Boudinot was the son of David Watie (Uwati), brother of Stand Watie, nephew of Major Ridge and cousin of John Ridge. Boudinot, the Ridges, John Ross, Charles R. Hicks, and his son, Elijah Hicks formed the ruling elite of the Cherokee Nation. They believed that rapid acculturation was critical to Cherokee survival. Boudinot was the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix which showcased Cherokee "civilization." Watie changed his name in honor of Elias Cornelius, who was responsible for Boudinot's education.
Boudinot was one of the signatories of the Treaty of New Echota, along with the Ridges. All three were assassinated in 1839 by survivors of the Trail of Tears.
Elias Boudinot in Trail of Glory[]
Buck Watie was a publisher and soldier in the Confederacy of the Arkansas, and a relative of several of the Confederacy's leaders.
Washington Expedition[]
In 1814, young Buck and his cousins Nancy and John Ridge had been students of the school established by the Moravian Brethern. However, Buck's uncle, Major Ridge wanted them to be more thoroughly educated in American ways.
In June, 1814, Lt. Sam Houston met with Major Ridge at Oothcaloga and asked Ridge to accompany Houston's expedition to Washington, knowing that if he did go, he would lose his credibility among his people. He instead asked Houston to take his children and his nephew and find a good American school for them. Houston, realizing that doing so would curry favor with Major Ridge, agreed.
Houston and the youths were soon joined by John Ross, Sequoyah, and three children of Captain John Rogers: James, John, and Tiana.
The group arrived in Washing just prior to the British attack on the city. Initially, Houston and Ross wanted to have the Ridge children taken to a safe location, but all protested strongly enough that the group stayed together.
Literary Comment[]
Buck Watie will almost certainly not change his name to "Elias Boudinot" in the Trail of Glory series. He is listed as "Elias Boudinot" to limit confusion.
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