Tryon County militia The creation of the Tryon County , New York militia was authorized on March 8 , 1772 , when the Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county in the colony . By 1776 ( at the start of the American War of Independence ) , the Tryon County militia had in effect become an army of rebellion under the control of the Tryon County Committee of Safety . The Tryon County militia would go on to fight at the important battles of Oriskany and Johnstown ( among others ) during the war . Militia regiments . Early in 1772 , the Colony of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county . In 1775 , the Tryon County militia comprised four regiments , organized according to geographical location : Expansion . A 5th regiment from the Harpersfield area was created under the command of a local resident , Colonel John Harper on March 3 , 1780 . Three companies are designated , falling under the commands of : Captain Alexander Harper , Captain Daniel McGillevrey , and Captain Lodwick Breakman . Before they fled to the Canadian Provinces in 1775 , Hendrick Frey , Daniel Claus , Sir John Johnson and Guy Johnson were each colonels in command of these regiments . On August 22 , 1775 , by order of the New York Provincial Congress , the Tryon County militia and the Albany County militia were joined to form a brigade . One fourth of each company were selected as minutemen . Wartime . On October 5 , 1776 , a resolution of the New York State congress appointed Nicholas Herkimer as brigadier general of the " Brigade of Militia of Tryon County , New York . " On August 6 , 1777 , the militia , under the command of Herkimer , fought in the Battle of Oriskany with British forces ( under the command of Barry St . Leger , Sir John Johnson , Colonel John Butler , and Captain Joseph Brant ) . While British casualties were high , the Tryon County miltia suffered a casualty rate of almost 70 % In 1779 , the Tryon County militia was combined with the Albany County militia . On March 20 , 1780 , Brigadier General Robert Van Rensselaer was given command of a brigade of militia which included the Tryon County militia . In 1781 , Marinus Willett was given over - all command of the Tryon County , New York militia . Organization . 1st Regiment . The first regiment , or battalion , of the Tryon County Militia was commanded by Colonel Samuel Campbell and later Colonel Ebenezer Cox ( killed in the first volley of the Battle of Oriskany , August 6 , 1777 ) . 2nd Regiment . The second regiment , or battalion , of the Tryon County Militia was commanded by Colonel Jacob Klock . Officers of the second regiment under the command of Colonel Klock included Captain Henry Divendorf , who was killed on the Oriskany Battlefield on August 6 , 1777 , and his brother Jacob Dievendorf ( died 11 / 23 / 1816 ) who was promoted to Captain upon the death of his brother Henry . 3rd Regiment . The third regiment , or battalion , of the Tryon County Militia was commanded by Colonel Frederick Fisher , or Visscher . Lieutenant Colonels were Adam Fonda and Volkert Veeder . Majors were John Bliven and John Nukerk . Adjutants were Robert Yates , Peter Conyn , John G . Lansingh , Jr . , and Gideon Marlett . Quarter Masters were Theodorus F . Romine , Abrahan Van Horn , and Simon Veeder . Surgeons were John George Folke and Surgeon William Petry . Eight companies constituted the third regiment . As of 26 Aug 1775 these were led by the following : 4th Regiment . The fourth regiment , or battalion , of the Tryon County Militia was commanded initially by Col . Hansyoot Herkimer , and after his death in 1775 , by Colonel Peter Bellinger , formerly lieutenant colonel of the regiment . Minutemen . Sixty men served as minutemen under Colonel Samuel Campbell and Captain Francis Utt . Associated Exempts . A company of exempted soldiers acted as a home guard under the command of Captain Jellis Fonda . Rangers . Rangers were raised for service in their home counties : " " unless called forth for the defence of a neighboring County or State by the Mutual Consent of the bordering County Committees of the respective Counties or States " " . On July 23 , 1776 , by order of the Provincial Congress of New York , three ranger companies were established under the commands of : These ranger companies were disbanded on March 27 , 1777 On July 17 , 1777 , by order of the Provincial Congress of New York , two ranger companies were established under the commands of :