Little Turtle, also known by his Indian name of Michikinqua, was born near Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1752. His father was a Miami chief and soon after his birth, his father moved the family to Ohio. As a young man, Little Turtle earned respect as a warrior for being brave in battle.

During the late 1700s, the British recognized that the land north of the Ohio River belonged to the Indians. However, as more settlers were moving into the Ohio territory, conflicts between the Indians and settlers increased. Tensions increased because many of the settlers viewed the land as free and not belonging to the Indians. Also, several Eastern states made claims to the land. As a result, there were many small battles between the Indians and the settlers. With so few settlers in the area and since there was little military support, the Indians were easily able to defend the land. However, this changed when, in 1789, the eastern states joined together and created a national government. The first president was George Washington.

In 1790, President Washington used his authority to send the military into the Ohio country to defend settlers from Indian attacks. Josiah Harmar was the leader of the army. Little Turtle was the leader of the Miamis. He also led a united group of other Indian tribes including the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandots. The Indians easily defeated Harmar's army.

The next year, President Washington sent Arthur St. Clair into the Ohio country with more troops. Once again, Little Turtle was successful, easily defeating St. Clair. This Battle became known as St. Clair's Defeat and was the single greatest defeat of the American army by Indian forces.

In response to this, President Washington sent an even larger army into the Ohio Territory. This army was led by General Anthony Wayne. Instead of immediately engaging the Indians in battle, Wayne spent two years training his army. Little Turtle knew that defeating the large and well trained army would be difficult and costly to the Indians. Little Turtle wanted to make peace with the Americans. Other chiefs did not agree with Little Turtle and Little Turtle gave up his position as leader of the united Indian force.

On August 20, 1794, Little Turtle led a small group of Miamis into battle against Wayne's troops. As Little Turtle feared, the Battle of Fallen Timbers was a serious defeat for the Indians. After the American victory, it became clear that the Indians must settle for peace. In 1795, the Treaty of Greenville was signed and both sides agreed to peace.

Little Turtle never went into battle again. For the rest of his life, he urged peace among the Indians and the settlers. Over time, Little Turtle began to adopt some of the ways of the whites. Little Turtle died in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1812.

Text & pic from the Ohio Historical Society Site, for much more information, please visit this site!