Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-09-05

and TINT i, is so little known to
most Americans Yet It was a campaign which
required the services of between 5000 and 4.OOO
Continental soldiers. They were In the field for
nearly six months and they effectually broke the
power Of the strongest League OF American ndi-
ans ever formed eague which had been an
important ally Of the British, and they for
the milton verable empire Of unsurpassed fer
tility.
But New York and Pennsylvania, where these
stirring events took place, are concentrating
them In fashion worthy OF their Importance
New York has appropriated $4,000 for the prn
cIpal obseryances which are being held al the
battlefield of Newtown, near Elmra. at Geneva
and at the old Genesee CASTLE which marks the
western terminus Of the expedition. Pennsylvania
is Joining New York In exercises held at Athens,
Pa. and at Salamanca. N. Y. and historic mark
ers are being placed along the whole route OF the
campaign including the march Of Gen. james
Clinton through the Mohawk and Susquehanna
valleys TO join the column led by Gen. John Sui.
Ivan. National recognition of the campaign, how
ever, hns come In the form of commemorative
two-cent stamp, bearing the portrait Of General
Sullivan which was put into circulation earlier In
the summer.
The expedition set out on foot early In ITO not
only to avenge the Cherry Valley and Wyoming
massacres by the Indians and Tories but also to
strike decisive blow at the Iroquos. Their
presence on the frontier constant threat
Of a stab In the back Of the Colonies intent upon
the campaigns by the British forces on the ATTAIN
tic seaboard The Iroquols Six Nations, had
also been an important source Of food supply for
the British and tile Tories since the region they
held was one OF the richest agricultural Sections
east OF the Alleghenies
However, Washington's determination to strike
blow at the Indians based upon bigger
and more important objective than punishment
for tile massacres or cutting off this food supply.
Peace talk was already In the air In 1779 and the
great commander saw that If peace came at that
time the United States would be small fringe OF
territory on the Atlantic coast. And the Interior
must be taken by force Of arms II 1t were to be
included In the country So 1t was for the
stake of a great empire that Washington was
playing when he launched the Sullivan Clinton
expedition.
The command OF the expedition at first
offered TO Gen. Horatio Gates, the undeserving
victor al Saratoga But Gates declined on the plea
that he was unable to undertake campaign
involving such hardships SO Washington next
turned TO another general who had repeatedly
proved his mettle on the battlefield He wns John
Sullivan, a young lawyer and commander OF the
militia at Durham. N. H.. who In 1T74 had com
mitted the first overt act of the Revolution by the
capture OF Fort William and Mary, In New Hamp-
shire and all the British stores In 1t. Appointed
brigader general In ITS, Sullivan had made
good record even though 1t was not particularly
brilliant Characterized as "plodder," Sullivan
was just the kind OF dependable commander whom
Washington knew he could trust for such cam
paIgn
The first SUCCESS OF the campaign was scored
by Clinton who sent a force of 500 men under
Colonel Van Schack, who made rapid march Of
800 miles up the Mohawk xaliey, scattered the
a hal ltou tuia
fields waste and returned to Fort Schuyler with
his force intact. He then assembled the Mohawk
to CanaioharIe and opened road to Otsege lake.
over which he transported gao boats with supplies