The Battle of Oriskany
Category: Other
Updated: 17 Nov 2018
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Created byDae Taylor
Attachments
Events
Heading up the Oswego River,
St. Leger and his men reach the
Oneida Carry and arrive at
Fort StanwixOutnumbering Ganesvoort's garrison,
St. Leger surrounds Fort Stanwix and
demands its surrender. Ganesvoort
refuses and St. Leger decides to lay siege
to the fortAmerican Leaders in Western
New York hear of a possible British
attack in the reigonThe leader of Tryon County's Committee of
Safety, Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer,
learns that St. Leger's force is within a few
days march of Fort Stanwix. As result, he calls
the militia, including a group of Oneidas led by
Han Yerry and Colonel Louis.Herkimer sends 3 messengers to
notify Ganesvoort of the militia's
approach, asking for acknowledgement
shown by 3 cannon shots.Hearing no cannon shot, Herkimer is
reluctant to continue, but eventually gives
up and continues his marchSt. Leger learns of the approach of Herkimer's
column and orders Sir John Johnson part of his
regiment and with a force of rangers and 500
Seneca and Mohawks to attack the American force.Johnson moves east and chooses a
deep ravine, about 5 miles from Fort
Stanwix, for an ambush. He placed his
Royal Regiment at the western exit and
the rangers and Mohawks on the ravine's
sides.Herkimer enters the ravine, and a group of
Native Americans attacks early, killing Colonel
Ebenezer Cox and wounding Herkimer in the
leg. However, he decides to stay at the front to
direct his soldiers. Herkimer's resistance stiffens and
begins to pull out of the ravine. The battle breaks into s
everal individual movements.Ganesvoort sets out from Fort Stanwix to
raid the British and Native American camps
The British retreat and the Americans are left in
control of the field. Too badly damaged, the Americans
retreat to Fort Dayton.
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