Native American Resistance in the Midwest: The History and Legacy of the Wars that Pushed Indigenous Groups Out of the Region by Charles River Editors

Author:Charles River Editors
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Published: 2025-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

A painting of the treaty negotiations

An early 20th century commemorative stamp for Wayne and the Battle of Fallen Timbers

Little Turtle represented the Miami, but he was reluctant to sign the treaty and was the last member of the confederacy to do so. His wife died the following day and was buried by an honor guard from the Legion.

After the war, Little Turtle became an advocate for peace between Native Americans and settlers, and he even began to adopt an American way of life, including buying land from the federal government. He remained steadfastly opposed to the consumption of alcohol, and instead of being a war chief, he became the Miami peace chief and actively campaigned for smallpox inoculations for members of the tribe, among other things. In 1796, he was invited to Philadelphia to meet George Washington, who presented him with a ceremonial sword. He also later met President John Adams and President Thomas Jefferson, who encouraged Little Turtle and the Miami to adopt an American style of agriculture.

In 1809, Little Turtle broke with other Miami leaders over the signature of a new treaty, the Treaty of Fort Wayne, which ceded more Miami territory to the United States. As a result, he was no longer involved in Miami leadership and retired to live in a house built for him by the American government near Kekionga. During the War of 1812 between Britain and America, many Miami villages were destroyed, but Little Turtle’s house was spared.

In July 1812, Little Turtle died at the home of his son-in-law, William Wells. He was 65-years-old and had suffered from gout and rheumatism for years. His funeral was held at Fort Wayne and included full military honors. He was buried in the Miami ancestral burial ground near Spy Run.

100 years later, his grave was accidentally uncovered during work on the cellar of a house in Fort Wayne. Upon its discovery, the plans for the house were changed, and his remains were re-interred. Some items found there, including the sword presented to him by Washington, were removed and later found their way into the collection of the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society. They were eventually displayed at the Fort Wayne Old City Hall Building.

In 1959, Little Turtle’s gravesite was purchased and a trust fund was established so it could be presented to the city for use as a public park. In 1994, a simple stone marker was added to the grave that reads, “This site honors the great Chief of the Miamis, Meshekinoqua, ‘The Little Turtle,’ son of the great Chief Acquenacque. He is held in the hearts of his people, allies, and foes with the greatest of honor and respect for his courageous valor and peacemaking.”

Josiah Harmar resigned from the army in late 1791 and returned to his native Pennsylvania, where he became that state’s adjutant general. He died in his home near Philadelphia in 1813 at the age of 59.

Major General Arthur St. Clair resigned his commission after he was defeated by Little Turtle,

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