New-York tribune., 1877-08-04
THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY.

In july 1777 the position OF the patriot forces IN
the State Of New York had become one of pressing
peril. Tconderoga had been lost. There were five
counties in possession of the enemy in three others
there was neither order nor government; TryOn
County prayed for assistance; in Westchester the
militia were caring for their own defence, MEN
aced" SAYS Bancroft from the Susquehauna to
Lake Champlain, and on every part of the Hudson,
New-York became the battlefield for the life of the
young Republic" The demands made upon Wash
ington for succor were such as he found it impossi
BILE to comply with. He had already conceded to
the Northern Department more than its share OF men
and supplies. He had the country to guard from the
Hudson to Maryland. He however ordered Arnold
to the North, and also Lincoln whowas popular with
the Eastern soldiers, and brigade OF Continental
troops under Glover. He wrote TO Schuyler who ap-
pretended the advance of BurgOyne never to de-
spair;" he promised that Arnold should go to the
relief of Fort Stanwix and TO the Council OF New
York he predicted that the success of Burgoyne
would be temporary.
To add TO the difficulties Of the situation the Brit
ish were employing the Indian warriors of the
Mohawk Valley in considerable numbers. About
one thousand braves had joined the white brigade
of St Leger. Advancing from Montreal by the way
of Oswego he encountered at the division OF the
waters of the ST. Lawrence and the hudson
fortress garrisoned by six or seven hundred men
under Lieut.-Col. GansevoOrt Information was re-
eeved that Herkimer and the militia of Tryon
County were marching to their relief. The investing
forces numbered some 700 men, including a large
number of Mohawk Indians under Brandt, and of
American Tories under Sir William Johnson and the
well-known Butler. Active hostiities were com
menced on the 4th of August, and continued on the
9th Herkimer, who had with him Thomas Spencer,
faithful sachem of the Oneidas. crossed the Mo-
hawk at the present site of Utica. and on the oth
encamped at Oriskany near the present village OF
Whitesborough. From this point Gen. Herklmer
sent messages to announce to COL Gansevoort ms
approach. and to concert measures Of cooperation
ST. Leger who was in possession of the same lntor-
nation sent forward detachment under Sir John
johnson, with all Brandts Indians to IN
tercept his progress. The savage commander
laid an ambush of his warriors when within SIX
miles of the fort Into this ambuscade the van OF
the American forces caTeessly entered front and
flank They were attacked with great hercenesS
but falling back TO n better position, the patriot
troops renewed the fight. All accounts concur IN
describing the action as severely contested. Cen
Hcrkimer was severely wounded by musket ball.
which killed his horse and shattered his own leg
He remained on the ground however, and gave his
orders to the end, seated upon his saddle, which had
been removed from his horse, and smoking ms old
clay piper A heavy thunderstorm enabled the little
favorable position. Al one period the Indians were
wavcung before the persistent attacks of the
patriots when band Of Tories, dispatched by ST.
Ledger came to the relief of these allies. Fort
Stanwix lor Schuyler it iso be noticed was at this
time ewiLouta flag; but the garrison had information
of the ensign which had been adopted by the Con-
tnenta Congress, and the brave defenders manuiac-
tured banner best tlcy might out Of Their shirts
and bits Of scarlet and blue cloth, that before sun
OIL H.F no Cfar M
floating over one of the baStOns.
Cen GansevooIt had received information from
Gen Herkimer that he intended on hearing the sig
mails to cut his way to the fort through the enemy
camp and desiring him to make sorte AT the same
time The detachment, consisting of two hundred
and fifty men, half Of New-lork and half Of Massa-
ciusctts under the command Of Lleut-Col. Marlnus
Niilett made q sally in the direction Of Oriskany.
They took with them iron three-pOunder. Ram
was falling copiousy at the moment, but it ceased
before WiIetts little band left the fort The dar-
ing courage of the leader had been proved upon pre-
yious occasions and was nobly displayed upon tIis.
Passing through the quarters Of the Workers. the
rangers and the savages they captured Sr JOhn
Johusou's papers, five British flags, other punder
and four prisoners. SO suddenly was Sir johns
camp assailcd that he had not time 10 put on his
coat. He fed across the river 20 the temporary
camp Of St. Legcr. The party of Willett returned
10 the fort with twenty-onc wagon loads OF spoil
and the Americans did not lose man. The five
British coors raised in full view OF the enemy
below the uufurlel American standard, and the
garrison mounting the parapcts gave three rousing
cheers. For this exploit Congress presented TO Col
Wilott an elegant sword.
Meanwhile the battle between the main bodies
was renewed at Oriskany. The struggle is said to
have been terrible, and in consequence Of the
presence Of tie Indians, 10 have been marked by pc
cuiiar brutality and cruelty. OF derkimer's forces
il is stated that over fourth were killed outright,
while the Tories and Indians suffered still more
yerely. The combatants il is stated ''leaped upon
each other with the fcrceness of tigers and fought
hand to foot with bayoncts and knives" The con
1ict lasted for six hours and il the bloodiest
encounter i'm proportion to the numbers engaged,
that occurred during the war. Nor could either
party claim decided victory. The patriots re-
mained masters Of the field, but the fort was not
then relieved. Gen. Hcrkimer was taken TO his
residence below the Little Falls on the Mohawk,
where he died ten days afterwards. His death is
said to have been occasIoncd by the unskillfu treat
Inent Of his surgeon After his leg had been ampu-
tated Col Willett called TO see him. and found him
sitting up in bed, cheerful and smoking his pipe
The Surgeon was drunk; the blood continued TO
flow from the limb, and other surgeon was at
hand. The General soon became convinced that his
end was near. He called for his Bible read aloud
the thirtyeighth Psalm, closed the book, sank back
upon his pillow and expired Stone, In writing OF
him. said: If Socrates died ike philosopher aud
Rosseau like an unbeheving scntlmentallst, Gen.
IIerkimer died like a Christian hero
The loss of life at the battle of Oriskany is differ
emily stated ST. Legcr wrote TO BurgOyne that -four
hundred patriots) lay dead on the field, among the