ing been greatly improved in warlike discipline,
and in the use of European firearms, by serving
under the French commanders in former wars,
they adhered to any pacific agreements no longer
than their fears or their interests restrained
them; and rested in the determination never to
abandon their lands northwest of the Ohio river.
They had defeated General Harmer

, with the
loss of the greater part of his army, on the banks
of the St. Joseph's river in 1791; and an ex-
pedition sent against them shortly after, under
the command of General St. Clair, was com-
pletely routed. In this engagement the Little
Turtle,* * Michikiniqua, was the Indian name of this chief. so often alluded to in the foregoing
pages, was the commander-in-chief of the Indian
forces, and displayed feelings of humanity to-
wards his retreating foes, of which few exam-
ples have been furnished in the history of Indian
warfare, and which reflects honor on his cha-
racter.

On beholding the white soldiers fleeing before
the exasperated Indians, and at every moment
cut down by the weight of their tomahawks, his
heart revolted at the sight, and ascending an
eminence, he gave the singular signal cry, which com-
manded his men to cease from further pursuit
and return to their camps; he also sent out mes-
sengers to inform them, wherever scattered,
that they must be satisfied with the carnage,