Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-08-04
THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY.

In the Spring of l777, the celebra ted
N Indian chief Brant invaded New York
from Canada, with over five hundred
warriors. Gen. Herkimer, who command
cd small army of American troops, held
a conference with Brant in an open field
near Unadilla, and endeavored to treat
with the savages. His attempt wa7 un-
successful, and after stormy council, du-
ring which thelndians were very insultin :,
the two forces separated, and Brant join
ed the British army, which, under the
command offs John Johnson and Col.
John Butler, was organizing at Oswego,
preparatory to an expedition against the
defenceless settlements of the Schoharie
and Mohawk valleys.
n 1t is stain upon the British character
y (if such thing is possible) )that,both in the
Revolutionary war,and the contest of 1912,
the royal government hired savage butch
ers to follow their armies into the field.
Daring Indian outrages, many dreadful
y massacres, confagrations and butcheries
were instigated and allowed by British Of
4 hcers and British agents. On this occa-
n sion the Indians were invited to grand
war feast by the royal officers, and they
4 then enlisted as enemies of the patriotic
n cause.
The fort at Oswego was crowded with
the grim sons of the wilderness. They
were furnished with the gay dresses, new
arms and ''fire water" in abundance. and
before the council concluded the great
tribes of the six nations numbering at that
time several thousand warriors, entered
n into firm alliance with the British. and
they agreed to fight until King George
had snbdued his rebellious subjects. Each
Indian was presented with a gun, toma-
a hawk, s@alping knife, ammunition. a brass
Kettle, piece Of gold, and a suit of sr-P-
let clothes. In this manner England "a.
4 gagged her savage allies 1t was a shameful
bargain, but characteristic of the British
Government, noted for its rapacity, cruel
ty and faith!essness.
Rumors of the British preparations
reached the patriot settlements in Tvron
County, aud Col. Ganesvoort who COM
n1nded small, half-fnished fertilization
known as Fort Schuyler, implorcd the aid
OF Congress and the State of New-York.
But AZ that period the American army had
enough to do with the forces of England
IN the field, and congress could not afford
much assistance. On the first of August
sa I"i, over seventeen hundred British and
indians, commenced their invasion. and
B 'soon appeared before Fort Schuyler. Col.
M'anesvoort's force numbered seven hum
4dred and fifty men, with few small can
mons They had no flag But this latter
8ntlcle was soon supplied shirts were c,It
w Tor white stripes and sewcd upon the
red lining of a cloak belonging to one of
\ f'ne officers, and it was thrown proudly
'rput to the forest wind.
lie siege instantly commenced. Bombs
were thrown into TO fort, while the sava-
- with their rifles, watched every oppor
IN unity for shot at the besieged. Every
sPlight they filled the air with horrid wells.
T:aho endeavored to set the works ON fire
heAmerlcans, however, were not intimida-
..'ed' They refused to listen to st. Leger's
VA ummons to surrender, and maintained n
vigorous defence.
In the meantime, Gen. nerkimer q
'raVe old soldier rallied the militia of the
surrounding country, and was soon on his
"ay to relieve the garrison with force of
MS'ght hundred men. But younger men
naeavored TO supersede him in command.
At icy reproached him with being two eau
Rpus' and finally charged the gallant Off
~ w'th being coward and tory. Coils.
pS ana Paris were loud in their taunts.
p Gen. Herkimer calmly replied that he
Is placed in command as guardian and
father and that troops should not be
into unnecessary danger According.
he advanced with great caution az the
ne time telling those who were so anx-
to face the enemy, that he feared they
nld be the first TO retreat.