EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is Part 2 in a 9-part series on Ohio’s great American Indian chiefs released by the Ohio Historical Society on Nov. 3, 1967. Ashland Source has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Ohio History Connection to share content across our sites. Part 1 focused on the Six Nations.
Little Turtle was born in Indiana in 1752 and died there in 1812. However, both his fighting and his peace-making were centered in Ohio.
The principal village of his Miami tribe was Pickawillany, near what is now Piqua.
His braves frustrated the arduous campaigns of Generals Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair through the dense forests and swamps of the Miami and Maumee Valleys in 1790 and 1791.
Little Turtle led led an attack on Fort Recovery three years later, but he foresaw that the invaders would would win in the long run, and counseled peace. Therefore, he did not take part in the final Native American Indian defeat at Fallen Timbers.
Little Turtle sat among the chiefs around the council fire at Fort Greene Ville, however, and made a vow.
“I am the last to sign it and I will be the last to break it,” he said.
Mild-mannered and courteous, Little Turtle became a great favorite with the Americans, and was presented to President George Washington in Philadelphia.
