Billy Bowlegs (
c. 1810 – 1859), real name Holata Micco (Alligator Chief), was an important leader of the
Seminoles in
Florida during the
Second Seminole War and was the remaining Seminoles' most prominent chief during the
Third Seminole War, in which he led the Seminoles' last major resistance against the United States government. With the possibilities of military victory dwindling, he finally agreed to relocate with his people to
Indian Territory (present-day
Oklahoma) in 1858. As part of the settlement he was paid $6,500, plus $1,000 each for the subchiefs and $100 each for the women and children who went with him. This
lithograph of Bowlegs was produced by an unknown engraver around 1865 to 1870, based on an original work by
Julian Vannerson.
Lithograph credit: unknown, after Julian Vannerson; restored by Adam Cuerden