The Battle of Oriskany
The American Revolution tore apart the mighty Iroquois confederacy on August 6, 1777, during a savage ambush near Fort Stanwix. British forces and Mohawk warriors trapped General Herkimer’s militia in a deadly ravine.
Oneida fighters chose the American side, creating the bizarre scene of Native brothers killing each other while colonists watched. The hand to hand fighting was so intense that wounded men crawled behind trees to reload and keep shooting.
Here’s the brutal story, preserved at Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site where visitors can walk through history.
Herkimer’s March to Relieve Fort Stanwix
General Nicholas Herkimer gathered 800 Tryon County militiamen at Fort Dayton to break the British siege of Fort Stanwix. Han Yerry, an Oneida leader loyal to the American cause, joined with 60 to 100 warriors.
The relief column left Fort Dayton on August 4, 1777, moving westward through frontier wilderness. By evening on August 5, they camped near the Oneida village of Oriska, about 8 miles from their destination.
The men rested before what they hoped would be a surprise attack.
The British Learn of the American Advance
Molly Brant, a Mohawk woman living near Fort Dayton, secretly warned her brother Joseph Brant about the approaching American troops.
Joseph led the Mohawk warriors fighting with the British. St. Leger received this warning on August 5, giving him time to prepare. He ordered Sir John Johnson to stop Herkimer with about 500 men.
Johnson gathered 100 Loyalist soldiers from his King’s Royal Regiment of New York and 400 Mohawk warriors led by Brant.
Setting the Perfect Ambush
Seneca war chiefs Sayenqueraghta and Cornplanter chose a ravine six miles from Fort Stanwix for their trap.
The road dropped more than 50 feet into marshy ground with a small stream at the bottom, creating a perfect killing zone. Johnson placed his Loyalist troops to block the road at the western end.
Native warriors hid in thick forest on both sides, forming a deadly U-shaped ambush. The plan was simple: Loyalists would stop the front of the American column while hidden warriors attacked from the sides.
Herkimer’s Fateful Decision to March
On the morning of August 6, Herkimer wanted to wait for three cannon shots from Fort Stanwix. This would signal they had received his message asking for coordination. His officers grew impatient during a war council, calling him a coward.
Some even claimed he had Loyalist sympathies because his brother served under St. Leger. Angry at these insults, Herkimer ordered an immediate advance. The American column stretched nearly half a mile along the narrow forest road with the 3rd regiment protecting the rear.
The Ambush Unfolds Too Early
Around 10 AM, Herkimer’s lead soldiers entered the ravine. Many stopped to drink from the stream. Some of Brant’s warriors fired too soon, before the entire American column had entered the trap.
Men at the front fell immediately. Warriors rushed from hiding with tomahawks and war clubs, creating chaos among the surprised militiamen. Many soldiers at the rear panicked and ran back toward Fort Dayton.
Mohawk warriors chased these fleeing men, killing many along miles of forest road.
Herkimer’s Courageous Leadership
Early in the battle, a musket ball shattered Herkimer’s leg and killed his horse. Despite this severe wound, he had his men prop him against a beech tree on the battlefield. When officers suggested he retreat to safety, Herkimer replied, “I will face the enemy.”
From his seated position, he continued directing the battle while calmly smoking his pipe. His bravery inspired the surviving militiamen to form a defensive circle on higher ground instead of running away.
The Oneida Warriors Fight Alongside Patriots
Han Yerry fought bravely even after a musket ball hit his wrist, making it impossible to fire his gun. He switched to his tomahawk, fighting enemies hand-to-hand. His wife Sara Tyonajaneger stood beside him throughout the battle, firing pistols at advancing enemies.
Han Yerry’s son and half-brother Tonyentagoyon also joined the fight. The Oneida warriors’ woodland fighting skills helped counter the Mohawk tactics, evening the odds despite being outnumbered.
The Battle Pauses During a Thunderstorm
About an hour into the battle, a powerful thunderstorm swept across the battlefield. Fighting stopped as both sides tried to keep their gunpowder dry. Wet powder would make their firearms useless.
Herkimer used this break to reorganize his remaining men. He placed soldiers in pairs – one firing while the other reloaded. This smart tactic ensured they wouldn’t be caught defenseless while recharging their weapons.
When the storm passed after nearly an hour, fighting resumed with the Americans better prepared.
Fort Stanwix Sortie Changes the Battle
Around 11 AM, Herkimer’s messengers finally reached Fort Stanwix with news of the battle. Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett quickly led 250 men from the fort.
Instead of marching to the battlefield, Willett’s troops raided the lightly defended British and Indian camps. They took supplies, personal items, and military documents.
Word of this raid reached the Mohawk warriors at Oriskany. Many left the battle to protect their belongings, weakening the British force and forcing Johnson’s troops to retreat.
The Battle Divides the Iroquois Confederacy
The Battle of Oriskany split the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, turning brother against brother. Oneida and some Tuscarora people sided with the Patriots. Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga nations fought for the British.
After the battle, Joseph Brant led Mohawk warriors to burn the Oneida settlement of Oriska as punishment for helping Americans. Oneidas struck back by attacking Mohawk villages at Tiononderoge, Canajoharie, and Fort Hunter.
Many Mohawk families fled to Canada. The Six Nations never fully recovered from these divisions.
Visiting Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site
You can find Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site at 7801 State Route 69, northwest of the village of Oriskany in Oneida County, New York.
The site includes a tall obelisk monument, a visitor center with exhibits, and interpretive trails that guide you through the actual battlefield. Take the mowed path to the Old Military Road and walk the trail into the ravine where General Herkimer’s troops were ambushed.
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