Friday, November 20, 2009

Little Turtle.


This is coolbert:

"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"


Here is some amazing stuff regarding Little Turtle. The commander of the American Indian forces who defeated Arthur St. Clair.

Indeed, the entire "episode" of the Northwest Indian War is often referred to as "Little Turtle's War"!

"Little Turtle or Mishikinakwa . . . was a chief of the Miami tribe in what is presently Indiana, and one of the most successful Native American military leaders of his era."

"Little Turtle was in overall command of the army that defeated St. Clair" [this is disputed by some accounts?]

Surprisingly, for a man who was responsible for: "The worst defeat that United States forces have ever suffered in battle", Little Turtle, in the aftermath of the war [an eventual American victory], subsequently enjoyed very cordial and warm relationships with American Presidents, accorded honors - - esteemed.

For example, when presented to George Washington:

Was the man skinned alive?

Did the man have his living body devoted to an "execution fire"?

Was the man hung, drawn and quartered?

Was the man impaled by having a ramrod inserted into his fundament?

NO, NONE of the above! Rather, Little Turtle was shown the greatest possible respect, courtesy, deference! Was even presented with a ceremonial sword in honor of his station and position and command authority. All this to a man who was responsible for having done so much damage to American forces on the battlefield!!

"He met cordially with George Washington, who presented him with a ceremonial sword. He also met presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson."

And - - even in death - - and for almost two centuries now thereafter - - Little Turtle - - was and is treated with the greatest respect and honor!! And admirable man - - admired - - and treated in an admirable fashion - - even to this day!!

"He was honored with a military style funeral at Fort Wayne. He was buried in his ancestral burial ground near Spy Run."

"In 1911, a very old grave was accidentally discovered by a home builder on Lawton Place in Fort Wayne. Research showed that the tomb was indeed that of Michikinikwa. The sword given to him by George Washington was found in the grave and is now in the Ft. Wayne and Allen County Historical Society Museum. The body was not disinterred, and the plans for the house were altered."

The grave site of the enemy commander, not defiled, not erased from memory by the victors, but rather preserved - - also in an admirable fashion!

coolbert.

No comments:

Post a Comment