Little Turtle -The Native Americans Greatest General

Little Turtle -The Native Americans Greatest General

ME-CHE-CUN-NA-QUAH, OK LITTLE TURTLE. 

was the son of Aque-nac-que, the great war chief of the Twightwees [Miamis] 
at the beginning of the eighteenth century, who was also the principal of the 
three Deputies who represented the Twightwee nation at the Treaty of Lancaster. 
Penn., on the 23d day of July, 1748. His mother was of the tribe of the 
Mohegans, and is reputed as having been a superior woman, transmitting many 
of her best qualities to her son. Aquenaeque was of the Turtle branch of the 
Miamis, and lived i„ the Turtle Village on Eel River, some sixteen miles north- 
west of Fort Wayne. 

At this village Little Turtle was born, about the year 1747, and was the 
senior of his sister Algomaqua, wife of Capt. Holmes, by less than two years. He 
became chief at an early age.- not on account of any right by inheritance, because 
the condition of the offspring follows the mother, and not the father, and his 
mother not standing in the line of descent from hereditary chiefs, the child stood 
in the same category, but because of his extraordinary talents and adapted- 
ness for the position, which were noticeable from early boyhood. Upon the death 
of his father, therefore, he became the principal chief of the Miamis, by selec- 
tion. His first eminent services were those of a warrior, in which he distin- 
guished himself above all competitors. His courage and sagacity, in the estima- 
tion of his countrymen, were proverbial, and his example inspired others to 
unwonted achievements in. council and the field. Neighboring consanguineous 
tribes, in their operations against the whites, drew courage from his presence, andachieved successes under his leadership. He was in himself a host on the battle- 
field, and his counsel always commanded respect. 

At the time of St. Clair's expedition against the Wabash Indians, Little 
Turtle was the acknowledged leader, directing the movement of his people, 
which resulted in the defeat of the former, as he had previously done in the 
several actions in the campaign of Gen. Harmar. In comparison with Gen. St. 
Clair, as director of forces at Fort Recovery, his exhibitions of skill and tact inthe management of the assault upon the white troops, were those of the more 
expert tactician. His loss in that engagement was light, while that of Gen. St. 
Clair was heavy. 

" Again, he commanded a body of Indians in November, 1792, who made 
a violent attack on a detachment of Kentucky volunteers under Maj. Adair, under 
the walls of Fort St. Clair, near Eaton, Ohio, but the savages were repulsed with 
loss. He was also at the action of Fort Recovery, in June, 1704. The campaign 
of Gen. Wayne, in August of the same year, proved too successful for the Turtle 
and superior to the combined force. Prior to the battle of Fort Miami, two miles 
below Maumee City, a council was held, when Little Turtle showed his sagacity 
and prudence by refusing to attack the forces of Gen. Wayne." 

Having satisfied himself of the impracticability of further opposition to the 
whites, Little Turtle lent his influence toward the maintenance of peace, and, in 
part consideration for his services in this respect, the American Government 
erected for him, at bis village on Eel River, a comfortable house in which to live. 
■'His habits were those of the whites, and he had black servants to attend to his 
household wants and duties. He was true to the interests of his race, and 
deplored their habits of drunkenness. In 1S02 or 1S03, he went before the Leg- 
islature of Kentucky, and, through his interpreter, made an appeal in person for 
a law preventing the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians. The like mission he 
performed before the Legislature of Ohio, but without success. He described the 
Indian traders to life, viz.: ' They stripped the poor Indian of skins, guns, 
blankets, everything, while his squaws and children, dependent upon him, lay 
starving and shivering in his wigwam.' 

" He was the first to introduce among his savage tribes the practice of vacci- 
nation for 'preventing the small-pox. and did much to prevent human sacrifice." 

From the first appearance of Tecumseh and the Prophet, in their attitude of 
manipulators of opinions directed toward the formation of an Indian confederacy, 
he opposed their movements, and in consequence, through his influence, little was 
accomplished in that direction among his people and others for a long time. 

In a communication dated at Fort Wayne, January 25, 1812, bearing his 
own signature, addressed to Gov. Harrison, be expressed himself as anxious to do 
all in his power to preserve peaceful relations between the white and red people. 
He was destined, however, to take no part in the pending conflict. " He came 
to this city, in 1812, from his residence, to procure medical aid, and was under 
the treatment of the United States Surgeon, and in the family of his brother-in- 
law, Capt. Wells, at the Old Orchard— or rather was cared for by Capt. W.'s family 
at his own tent, a few rods distant, preferring it to the more civilized mode of 
living ' in doors.' His disease was the gout, of which he died in the open air, at 
the place (Old Orchard), above described, July 14, 1812, having the universal 
respect of all who knew him. The Commandant of the fort at that time. Capt. Ray, 
the friend of Little Turtle, buried the remains of the chief with the honors of 
war. A writer says: ' His body was borne to the grave with the highest honors 
by his great enemy, the white man. The muffled drum, the solemn march, the 
funeral salute, announced that a great soldier had fallen, and even enemies paid 
the mournful tribute lo his memory.' " 

To the left of the black square marks the site of Little Turtles Grave. The grave was found while constructing houses in the neighborhood.  His skeletal remains were identified by the sword that was presented to him by George Washington. His bones 

were discarded, his grave goods stolen and the sword is now in the Allen County 

History Center.

The place of his burial is near the center of the " Old Orchard," and his Indian 
ornaments and accouterments of war, a sword presented to him by Gen. Washington 
and a medal with Gen. W.'s likeness thereon, were buried with him. Some years 
ago, Cocsse, a nephew and real chief, since dead, came to Fort Wayne and pro- 
nounced a funeral oration over the remains of his uncle, full of eloquent pathos, 
which was listened to by many of the old citizens of that period. 

A distinguishing trait in the character of this celebrated chief, says Mr. 
Dawson, " was his ardent desire to be informed of all that relates to our institu- 
tions ; and he seems to possess a mind capable of understanding and valuing the 
advantages of civilized life, in a degree far superior to any other Indian of his 
time.