Little Turtle (1752-1812) was a Miami chief in what is now Indiana and Ohio. He fought United States troops to protect the tribe’s lands. His forces defeated General Josiah Harmar’s troops in 1790, and drove back forces led by General Arthur St. Clair in 1791.
Historians once believed Little Turtle was the Indigenous (native) American leader at the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794). In the battle, Major General “Mad Anthony” Wayne’s troops defeated more than 1,000 Indigenous warriors near what is now Toledo, Ohio. But later research indicated that Little Turtle was not in command at the battle. In 1795, Little Turtle and leaders of other tribes signed a treaty that opened southern Ohio to settlement. He was born near the Eel River in what is now Indiana and died near there on July 14, 1812.
