Battle of Oriskany Part of the American Revolutionary War Herkimer at the Battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777 Date August 6, 1777 Location Fort Stanwix, New York Oriskany Creek New York Result Tactical British Victory Strategic American Victory [1] Belligerents Tryon County militia 40 Oneida Indians Hanau Jager detachment King's Royal Regiment of New York Butler's Rangers Seneca Indians Natives of the Seven Nations of Canada: Mohawks, Abenakis, Algonquins, Nipissings and Hurons Commanders Nicholas Herkimer † Sir John Johnson, John Butler, Chief Joseph Brant Strength 800 450 Casualties and losses 465 killed or wounded [2] 150 killed or wounded (including casualties at the Siege of Fort Stanwix)

The Battle of Oriskany was one of the bloodiest battles in the American Revolutionary War and a significant engagement of the Saratoga campaign. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Oriskany Creek is a small River in New York, USA. The river arises in Madison County and flows primarily through Oneida County. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county The Oneida ( Onyota'aka or Onayotekaono, meaning the People of the Upright Stone or standing stone, Thwahrù•nęˀ in Tuscarora The King's Royal Regiment of New York was one of the first Loyalist regiments raised ( June 19 1776) in Canada during the American Butler's Rangers (1777–1784 was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists (or "Tories" in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. The Seven Nations of Canada were a historic confederation of Canadian First Nations living in and around the Saint Lawrence River valley who were allied Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Sir John Johnson 2nd Baronet ( 5 November 1741 &ndash 4 January 1830) was a loyalist leader during the American Revolution For other people named John Butler see the John Butler disambiguation page Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant ( c 1743 &ndash 24 November 1807) was a Mohawk leader and British military officer during In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" British strategy As the year's campaigns were winding down in the autumn of 1776 the British began to plan operations for the next year It also has the distinction of being one of the few battles of the war where almost all of the participants were North American: Loyalists and Native Americans fought against Patriots in the absence of British soldiers. This article concerns Loyalists in the American Revolution. For information on the role of those Loyalists in Canadian history after their emigration see United Empire Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolution. For other uses see Patriot (disambiguation. The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 For the Natives, the battle was a civil war: Oneidas allied with the American militia fought against members of the other Iroquois nations. A civil war is a War between a State and domestic political actors that are in control of some part of the territory claimed by the state The Oneida ( Onyota'aka or Onayotekaono, meaning the People of the Upright Stone or standing stone, Thwahrù•nęˀ in Tuscarora The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary Citizens to provide defense emergency law enforcement or Paramilitary service The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse

On August 6, 1777, during the siege of Fort Stanwix, an American relief force from the Mohawk Valley under General Nicholas Herkimer, numbering around 800 men of the Tryon County militia, was approaching to raise the siege. Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day The Mohawk Valley ( Yenęˀná•ˀna•č in Tuscarora) region of the U Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county British commander Barry St. Leger authorized an intercept force consisting of a Hanau Jager detachment, Sir John Johnson's King's Royal Regiment of New York, Native allies from the Six Nations and Seven Nations of Canada, and Indian Department Rangers totaling at least 450 men. Barrimore Matthew St Leger (c1733 &ndash 1789 was a British colonel who led an invasion force during the American Revolutionary War. Sir John Johnson 2nd Baronet ( 5 November 1741 &ndash 4 January 1830) was a loyalist leader during the American Revolution The King's Royal Regiment of New York was one of the first Loyalist regiments raised ( June 19 1776) in Canada during the American

The Loyalist and Native force ambushed Herkimer's force in a small valley about six miles ( 10 km) east of Fort Stanwix. During the battle, Herkimer was mortally wounded. The battle cost the Patriots approximately 450 casualties, while the Loyalists and Natives lost approximately 150 dead and wounded. It was a clear victory for the loyalists over the rebels.

But the Loyalist victory was tarnished when a sortie from Fort Stanwix sacked the Crown camp, spoiling morale among the Native Americans.

Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 Footnotes 6 References 7 External links 8 Novels 9 Gallery

Background

Further information: Battle of Bennington

A three-pronged attack, known as the Saratoga Campaign of 1777, was launched by the British under the direction of Major General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne. Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight British strategy As the year's campaigns were winding down in the autumn of 1776 the British began to plan operations for the next year General John Burgoyne ( February 24, 1722 &ndash August 4, 1792) was a British army officer Politician Burgoyne's proposed strategy was to split New England from the other colonies by gaining control of New York. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous

During his march down the Mohawk Valley from Oswego to Albany, Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger besieged Fort Stanwix, then under the command of Colonel Peter Gansevoort. The Mohawk Valley ( Yenęˀná•ˀna•č in Tuscarora) region of the U Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County. Barrimore Matthew St Leger (c1733 &ndash 1789 was a British colonel who led an invasion force during the American Revolutionary War. Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day Peter Gansevoort ( July 17, 1749 – July 2, 1812) was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War St. Leger's force of British regulars of the Royal Artillery, 8th and 34th Regiments, loyalist King's Royal Yorkers and natives of the Six Nations and Seven Nations of Canada laid siege to the fort. The King's Royal Regiment of New York was one of the first Loyalist regiments raised ( June 19 1776) in Canada during the American

Upon hearing reports of St. Leger's advance, Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer assembled the Tryon County militia at Fort Dayton to proceed to Gansevoort's aid. Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county Fort Dayton is located North side of Mohawk River at West Canada Creek in what is now Herkimer New York. On August 4, 1777, Herkimer, with 800 militiamen—mostly poorly trained German-American farmers—and 40 Oneida Indians, began the forty-mile (65 km) trek west from Fort Dayton to Fort Stanwix. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

When St. Leger learned through Molly Brant that Herkimer and his relief expedition were on their way, he sent Joseph Brant, a Mohawk chief, with more than 400 natives, and Sir John Johnson, with the light infantry company of his King's Royal Yorkers to intercept them. Koñwatsiãtsiaiéñni or Mary (Molly Brant ( c 1736 &ndash April 16, 1796) was an important Mohawk woman in New York Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant ( c 1743 &ndash 24 November 1807) was a Mohawk leader and British military officer during Mohawk ( Kanienkeh, Kanienkehaka or Kanien’Kahake, meaning "People of the Flint" are an indigenous people of North America Sir John Johnson 2nd Baronet ( 5 November 1741 &ndash 4 January 1830) was a loyalist leader during the American Revolution Their clash at Oriskany Creek was one of the key episodes of the Campaign of 1777. Oriskany Creek is a small River in New York, USA. The river arises in Madison County and flows primarily through Oneida County.

Battle

On August 4, 1777, the Tryon County militia marched to the relief of besieged Fort Stanwix. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county The wilderness road was the only means by which General Herkimer and his men could reach the fort other than by boat via the Mohawk River. The Mohawk River is a long River in the US state of New York. The road dipped more than fifty feet (15 m) into a marshy ravine where the small Oriskany Creek, nearly three feet (1 m) wide, meandered along the bottom. Sayenqueraghta and Cornplanter had the principal roles in selecting this place for the ambush of the approaching relief column. Sayenqueraghta (c1707 &ndash 1786 was the war chief of the eastern Seneca tribe in the mid 18th century Gaiänt'wakê (c 1750&ndash1836 or Kaintwakon generally known as Cornplanter, was a Seneca war-chief ^[3] While the King's Royal Yorkers waited behind a nearby rise, 400 natives, concealed themselves on both sides of the ravine. Into this trap General Herkimer's militiamen advanced, with Herkimer himself leading the column.

On August 6, 1777, Herkimer halted his column moments before entering the fateful ravine. Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On August 5, 1777 Herkimer had sent a party to Fort Stanwix to notify Colonel Gansevoort of the approach of this militia and to request them to send a force from the fort to assist in the approach of the militia. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day When the militia had reached the ravine he had not yet received a response from the fort and proposed to wait until he received confirmation. (His messengers arrived at the fort at 11am). His Tryon County militia officers, however, interpreted Herkimer's hesitancy as cowardice and publicly rebuked him as a Tory spy. Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county In the political tradition of some English-speaking countries, the term Tory has referred to a variety of political parties and Creeds since it was Faced with mutiny by his officers, Herkimer ordered the militia column to advance. The militia officers who followed General Herkimer into the ravine were Colonel Ebenezer Cox, Colonel Jacob Klock, Colonel Peter Bellinger and Colonel Frederick Visscher. Jacob Klock may refer to Jacob Klock (colonel (1738-1798 military leader in the American Revolutionary War Jacob George Klock (judge Colonel Peter P Bellinger (Mar 1726-26 Mar 1813 was commander of the 4th Regiment Tryon County militia under General Nicholas Herkimer.

At 10am the militia entered the ravine and the discipline of the militia disintegrated. Exhausted from the heat of their march, many of General Herkimer's men broke ranks and ran to the stream for water. Although Sir John Johnson had instructed his Native American allies not to attack until all of Herkimer's militia had entered the ravine, the Natives could not resist such an opportunity. Sir John Johnson 2nd Baronet ( 5 November 1741 &ndash 4 January 1830) was a loyalist leader during the American Revolution As the militiamen laid down their muskets and placed their heads to the water, the Native Americans attacked.

In the opening volleys of the battle, General Nicholas Herkimer's horse was shot from beneath him, and he received a wound in the leg. Herkimer was carried by several of his officers to a beech tree now marked by a stone monument. For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the Herkimer was urged by his militiamen to retire from further danger, but that he defiantly replied: "I will face the enemy. " Historians interpret Herkimer's reply not only as a testament to his valor, but also his bitterness towards those officers who—having earlier branded Herkimer a coward for his caution and goaded him into the ravine—now urged him to retreat for his own safety.

As the fighting continued, Herkimer rallied his men, fighting his way out of the ravine to the crest just west of it. Directing the battle while leaning against a beech tree there and smoking his pipe, Herkimer observed that the natives were watching the puffs of smoke from his militiaman's muskets. The natives exploited the delay caused by the need to reload muzzle-loading flint locks and rushed in and attack the militiamen with edged weapons--tomahawks and knives.

During the battle, a violent thunderstorm caused a one-hour lull in the battle; Herkimer regrouped his militia on the higher ground {now marked by an obelisk}. He instructed his men to fight in pairs: while one man fired and reloaded the other waited and then only fired if attacked. Firing in relays, both were to attempt to keep at least one weapon loaded at all times. This tactic kept the Indians at bay and stabilized the remains of Herkimer's command.

After the thunderstorm, a detachment of reinforcements from the King's Royal Yorkers arrived. These loyalists turned their coats inside out to disguise themselves as a relief party coming up the valley from Fort Stanwix. One patriot militiaman, Captain Jacob Gardinier, however, recognized the face of a Loyalist neighbor. In the confusion, the King's Royal Yorkers succeeded in investing the militia's position, but as casualties mounted, they withdrew.

At about 2pm the garrison of Fort Stanwix sortied from the fort to sack the British and Native camp. The Native forces withdrew from the action with cries of "Oonah, oonah!", the Seneca signal to retire. The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. The tactics used by the patriots seriously delayed St. Leger's plans to surge through the Mohawk Valley and unite with Burgoyne and Howe.

Upon the withdrawal of the Natives and Loyalists, the Patriots who had not fled the scene attended to the evacuation of wounded, some of whom were taken by boat downriver to safety. Many wounded Patriots were left on the field. The dead were not buried for several years.

Aftermath

According to historical accounts, an hour into the battle, the creek ran red with the blood of the fallen; hence, the Battle of Oriskany was more commonly termed the Battle of Bloody Creek by local inhabitants in the decades that followed. The battle is known in British records as Herkimer's engagement out of respect for the American general's sacrifice and victory.

The Indians tortured and ate some of their prisoners. ^[4]

Sayenqueraghta, the principal chief, proposed to continue the fighting by pursuing the Colonials down river to German Flatts, but St. Sayenqueraghta (c1707 &ndash 1786 was the war chief of the eastern Seneca tribe in the mid 18th century Leger turned their proposal down. ^[5] This battle marked the beginning of the civil war in the Iroquois confederacy. Brant's Mohawks burned the Oneida settlement of Oriske, while the Oneida's plundered Tiononderoge and Canajoharie. The Fort Hunter Mohawks were later subject to the same treatment. This caused most of the remaining Mohawks to flee to Canada.

The wounded Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer was carried by his men from the battlefield. His leg was amputated, but the operation went poorly and he died August 16, 1777. Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Loyalist John Butler commanded an Indian detachment in the battle. For other people named John Butler see the John Butler disambiguation page Butler's participation in this British victory resulted in his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and being given command of Butler's Rangers. Lieutenant Colonel ( Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grade 's spelling is a rank of Commissioned officer in the armies Butler's Rangers (1777–1784 was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists (or "Tories" in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist

Marinus Willett left the fort on August 9, 1777 and went to Albany to appeal for help. Marinus Willett ( July 31, 1740 &ndash August 22, 1830) was an American soldier and political leader from New York Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common General Benedict Arnold was dispatched and arrived at Fort Dayton with 800 troops and recruited 400 more. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Fort Dayton is located North side of Mohawk River at West Canada Creek in what is now Herkimer New York. On August 22, they marched on to Fort Stanwix. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. The British forces besieging the fort fled on hearing of the approach of Arnold's troops. The Indians were particularly reluctant to engage in another battle after their losses at the Battle of Oriskany. The British retreated through Lake Ontario to join up with Burgoyne, causing this prong of the Saratoga Campaign to collapse. Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. British strategy As the year's campaigns were winding down in the autumn of 1776 the British began to plan operations for the next year

Because of the small population of settlers in the Mohawk Valley, the patriot losses sustained at the Battle of Oriskany were almost overwhelming to the community. The Mohawk Valley ( Yenęˀná•ˀna•č in Tuscarora) region of the U Some families lost all male members; hardly any family escaped unscathed. Furthermore, combatants often found themselves fighting relatives who happened to choose the opposing side. Germans, Indians and English died on both sides.

See also

• Chief Joseph Brant
• John Butler
• Peter Gansevoort
• Adam F. Helmer
• Nicholas Herkimer
• Sir John Johnson
• Barry St. Leger

Footnotes

References

• Isabel Kelsay, Joseph Brant 1743-1807 Man of Two Worlds, 1984, ISBN 0-8156-0182-4
• Nelson Greene; History Of The Mohawk Valley, Gateway To The West, 1614-1925; 1925, Reprint Services Corp. , ISBN 0-7812-5180-X.
• Alice P. Kenney; Stubborn for Liberty: The Dutch in New York; 1975, Syracuse University Press, ISBN 0-8156-0113-1.
• Gavin K. Watt, Rebellion in the Mohawk Valley: The St. Leger Expedition of 1777, Toronto: Dundurn, 2002. ISBN 1-55002-376-4
• Allan D. Foote, Liberty March, The Battle of Oriskany; 1998, North Country Books. ISBN 0-925168-72-6
• William B. Stone, Life of Joseph Brant, 1865

External links

• The King's Royal Regiment of New York
• The Battle of Oriskany: "Blood Shed a Stream Running Down", a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan

Novels

• Walter D. Edmonds; Drums Along the Mohawk; 1937, Little, Brown and Company, ISBN 0-8156-0457-2. Walter "Wat" Dumaux Edmonds ( July 15, 1903 – January 24 1998) was an American Author noted for his Historical Drums Along the Mohawk is a 1939 John Ford Film starring Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda and Edna May Oliver

Gallery

Monument to Nicholas Herkimer erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, July 14, 1912. Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR is a lineage -based membership organization of women dedicated to promoting Historic preservation, Education Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting

The Mohawk leader Chief Joseph Brant. Mohawk ( Kanienkeh, Kanienkehaka or Kanien’Kahake, meaning "People of the Flint" are an indigenous people of North America Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant ( c 1743 &ndash 24 November 1807) was a Mohawk leader and British military officer during

Monument to the unknown Tryon County patriots who followed Nicholas Herkimer and his militia officers into the ambush at Oriskany Creek. Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Oriskany Creek is a small River in New York, USA. The river arises in Madison County and flows primarily through Oneida County.

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