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

riots neared the fort. Herkimer found
means to warn Ganesyoort of his ap
proach, and requested when he should
hear the sound of guns to make sortie
upon the British camp. st. Leger sent
forward strong force to meet Herkimer
and formed an ambuscade for his troops
IN narrow deep ravine 1t was about Q
o'clock in the morning, dark and sultrv.
when the relieving army entered the val.
ley. In spite ofthe Generals instructions
the vanguard were very careless, or the
ambuscade would lave been discovered.
One regimentof the force had entered the
ravine, when Brant gave the signal, and
his warriors, sounding the warwhoop.
poured in a calling volley from their RI
tles, and rushed forward; tomahawk in
hand! A portion of the militia as Herlli-
mer had predicted, instantly broke and
fled to the rear, but the Generals divi-
sion boldly and firmly held their ground.
Herkimer was instantly wounded, and
Col, Cox and Captain Van Slyk killed at
the first fire. Herkimer was carried be-
meath beach tree, where, seated upon
his saddle, he calmly directed his men.
and cheered them on. The militia fought
y l''de Peration, r ceiving and giving no
er. The balls flew like hail, and the
war whoop rang shrilly through the for
est; the patriots soon discovered that the
Indians were watching until man dis
charged his gun; then they would rush
forward with the tomahawk and knife
To prevent this two militia men stood be-
hind tree together, and fired alternately.
While the fight was going on volleys of
musketry were heard in the rear. II was
sortie from the Fort. No sooner did Col
Ganesvoort hear the roar of the battle IN
the forest, than he ordered Col. Willett
with two hundred men to fall upon the
British camp. Col. Willett executed his
commission in a splendid manner. Like
thunderbolt his little force burst upon
st. Leger's encampment, and the mon
grel force Of tories and Indians. and the
few regulars present, were scattered like
chatf. The savages fed into the forest
while st. Leger and johnson brrelv esca-
ped-the latter without his coat. Twen-
ty one wagon loads Of spoils-arms, am
munition, clothing, provisions, blankets.
camp equipage, money, valuable docu-
ments and papers-were hauled into the
tort, together withsfve British Standards =,
Willett did not lose man, and he was re.
ceiyed into the fort with loud cheers. The
British colors were all hoistcd upon the
staff, under the rough American flag.
Herkimer's men, greatly encouraged, at
tackled the enemy with renewed vigor, and
the Indians, having lost nearly one hun
dred warriors and several chiefs raised the
cry, "Oonah! OoNAHw (the signal to re-
treat,) and fled deep into the forest The
British soon followed, and, after a
terrible battle ofsix hours the Americans
were left masters Of the field. The patri-
OTIS lost one hundred and sixty men Kill
led, and near the same number wounded.
besides some prisoners. The enemy's
loss was much greater, though never ex-
actly ascertained The Indians were
disappointed. General II erkimer died of
his wound a few days after the fight. His
army having no head, and being unable
to reach the forS retreated.
Smarting under a severe loss, and NOR,
titled at the sacking of their camp, st. lie
gers army attacked Fort Schuyler with
renewed vigor, Lying messagor, =, TO the
effect that strong reinrorcements were at
hand, were sent by the royal commander
to the fort, coupled with threats ofmassa-
ere unless it surrendered. But Col. Gan.
sevoorte scorned every threat and over-
ture, continuing his defence in the bravest
manner. Day after day the siege contin-
ued. st. Leger began to approach by re
gular parallels, and employed the sap and
mining system. With great danger Col
Willett and Lieut.. Stockwell succeeded in
passing the British lines, and fastening to
General Schuyler, implored aid for the be-
sieged garrison. In fact the fort We be,
coming straitoned, when suddenly the
enemy broke up their camp and fed to,
wards Canada. This sudden fight was
caused by the arrival of scouts with the
intelligence that strongforce was close at
hand to relieve the fort This rumor was
false, but the Indians believed 1t, and has
wing become wearied with the siege, they
at once started off The panic was COM
muhicated to the remainder of the army, !
and they also began such hurried retire .
as to leave all their artillery and spare
arms. The savares fell unon and scolnod