USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 25
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They arrived the next afternoon, and as the last batteau was unloading, the enemy made his appearance.
On the third, St. Leger proceeded to invest the fort in form. His force was about 1,600 strong, regulars, tories, and Indians. The Indians, 1,000 in number, were com- manded by the semi-savage Brant, the master-spirit of the Six Nations. Col. Gansevoort's garrison, after the rein- forcement arrived as a guard to the batteaux, amounted to 700, or, as some accounts say, 750 men, regulars and militia.
When the siege commenced, the garrison was without a flag. Military pride, indeed every sense of propriety, would not allow them to dispense with an appendage so proper to a beleaguered fortress." Necessity is the mother of invention." Shirts were cut up to form the white stripes, bits of scarlet cloth were joined as an apology for the orange, and the blue ground for the stars was composed of a camlet cloak, fur- nished by Capt. Abraham Swartwout, of Poughkeepsie, an officer of the garrison. Drake, in his beautiful poem, The American Flag, says :-
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" When freedom from her mountain height, Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night, And set the stars of glory there."
The garrison of Fort Stanwix in their extremity were less poetical in their choice of materials for a standard, for they simply " tore the azure robe " of Capt. Swartwout.
Even at this late date, Poughkeepsie claims the honor of having furnished the " true blue " for the flag of Fort Stan- wix. This, however, is but a secondhand claim on the part of Poughkeepsie. for this same camlet cloak was taken from a detachment of the British at Peckshill, by Col. Willett, in the spring of 1776. Col. Willett, at the same time, was in command of the third New York regiment, to which Capt. Swartwout belonged, and having routed the detach- ment and taken their baggage, no doubt the captain appro- priated the cloak to which after-events have attached so much of romance, as his share of the " spoils." Soon after the investment. a demand of surrender was made by the British commandant, and indignantly rejected by Colonel Gansevoort.
The siege was commenced, and prosecuted with great ac- tivity, and three batteries were established on the brow of the steep bank between where the Baptist and Catholic churches now stand, two for artillery and one for mortars.
At this time, it is somewhat difficult to ascertain with cer- tainty the point from which the approaches were made. Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, has placed the zig-zag approaches and parallels north-westerly of the fort, whereas information received by the author many years since, from persons who belonged to the garrison at the time of the siege, placed the approaches from the bend of the river east of the fort. It is very probable, that both accounts are correct, for it is not
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uncommon for besieging armies to break ground in two or more places, to distract the besieged. The approaches from the bend of the river were represented as a covered way, and one of the author's informants was so particular as to state that they commenced near an apple tree, which is yet standing on the bank of the river. The encampment of Johnson's regiment on the south side of the river, below the bend east of the fort, seems to favor the idea of an approach from this side.
St. Leger fixed his head-quarters at the upper landing on Wood Creek, which was about half a mile west of the fort. IIc had also an encampment about half a mile north-cast from the fort, in the ravine at the head of the Spring Brook. Sir John Johnson's eamp was at the lower landing on the Mohawk; while the Indians were encamped in the edge of the swamp, south-westerly from the fort. By this it will be seen low perfect was the investment, each of the four en- campments being out of the reach of the guns of the fort. and still within relieving distance of each other. St. Leger had pushed his advances with such activity that, at the time of raising the siege, on the 22d of August, the approaches were almost to the ditch, and a mine in a state of forward- ness under one corner of the fort.
The following rather bombastic proclamation of St. Leger is copied from an original manuscript, now in the possession of the Messrs. Sandfords, the editors and publishers of the Roman Citicen. They obtained it of Bernard F. Yates. who resides in the upper part of the town of Western. It is in a good state of preservation, is written in a very fair hand, and bears indubitable evidence, from its time-marked appearance and genuine signatures, of being an original copy.
It is reasonable to presume that a number of copies were
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prepared and distributed by the loyalists in the Mohawk Valley.
"By BARRY ST. LEGER, Esq ..
" Commander-in-Chief of a chosen Body of Troops from the Grand Ariny, as well as an extensive Corps of Indian Allies, from all the Nations; &c., &c.
"The Forces entrusted to my command are designed to act in concert, and upon a common principle, with the numerous Armies and Fleets which already display in every quarter of America, the power, the justice, and, when properly sought, the mercy of the King.
" The cause in which the British Arms are thus exerted, applies to the most affecting interests of the human heart ; and the military servants of the Crown, at first called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the rights of the Constitution, now combine with love of their country, and duty to their Sovereign. the other extensive incitements which spring from a due sense of the general privilege of mankind. To the eyes and ears of the temperate part of the pub- lic, and to the breasts of suffering thousands in the Provinces, be the melancholy appeal, whether the present unnatural rebellion las not been made a foundation for the completest system of tyranny that ever God in his displeasure suffered for a time to be exercised over a froward and stubborn generation.
" Arbitrary imprisonment, confiscation of property, persecution, and torture, unprecedented in the Inquisitions of the Romish Church, are among the palpable enormities that sertify the affirmative. These are inflicted by assemblies and committees, who dare to pro- fess themselves friends to liberty, upon the most quiet subjects, with- out distinction of age or sex, for the sole crime, often for the sole suspicion, of having adhered in principle to the Government under which they were born, and to which by every tye, divine and human, they owe allegiance. To consummate these shocking proceedings, the profanation of religion is added to the most profligate prostitu- tion of common reason; the consciences of men are set at nought ; and multitudes are compelled not only to bear arms, but also to swear subjection to an usurpation they abhor.
"Animated by these considerations, at the head of troops in the
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full powers of health, discipline, and valour; determined to strike where necessary, and anxious to spare where possible; I, by these presents, invite and exhort all persons, in all places where the pro- gress of this army may point, -and, by the blessing of God, I will extend it, - to maintain such a eonduet as may justify in protecting their lands, habitations, and families. The intention of this is to hold forth security, not depredation, to the country. .
'To those whom spirit and principle may induce to partake the glorious task of redeeming their countrymen from dungeons, and re- establish the blessings of legal government, I offer encouragement and employment, and upon the first intelligence of their associations. I will find means to assist their undertakings. The domestie, the adustrious, the infirm, and even the timid inhabitants, I am desirous to protect, provided they remain quietly at their houses, that they do not suffer their cattle to be removed, nor their corn or forage to be seereted or destroyed, that they do not break up their bridges or roads, nor by any other aet, directly or indirectly, endeavour to ob- struct the operations of the King's troops, or supply or assist those of the enemy.
" Every species of provision brought to my camp, will be paid for at an equitable rate, and in solid coin.
" If, notwithstanding these endeavours, and sincere inelinations to effeet them, the phrensy of hostility should remain, I trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God and men in denouncing and executing the vengeance of the State against the wilful outeasts. The mes- sengers of justice and of wrath await them in the field, and devas- tation, famine, and every concomitant horror that a reluctant, but indispensible, prosecution of military duty must occasion, will bar the way to their return. BARRY ST. LEGER.
"Camp before Fort Stanwix, August ye 10th, 1777.
" By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
" WILL. OSB. HAMILTON, Secretary."
On the back filed -" St. Leger's Manifesto."
Near this time the following incident occurred, as related by Jabez Spicer, who at the time was a soldier in the gar- rison, and since a United States' pensioner. He was well
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known to some of the early settlers of Rome, and was by them considered entirely reliable.
1 sentinel, posted on the north-west bastion of the fort, was shot with a rifle while walking his stated rounds, in the gray of the morning; the next morning a second met the same fate, on the same post : the erack of the rifle was heard, but from whence it came, none could conjecture, and the alarm being given, no enemy could be discovered. Of course on the third night this station was dreaded as bring- ing certain death, and the soldier to whose lot it fell, quailed and hung back; but to the surprise of the whole guard, a comrade offered to take his place, and was accepted. Towards morning, the substitute sentinel drove a stake into the ground at the spot where his predecessors had been shot, on which he placed his hat and watch-coat, and with the help of a cord and a well-stuffed knapsack, he soon had a very good apology for a portly soldier, who stood to the life at "support arms," with his trusty shining musket. Having thus posted his not exactly "man of straw," he quietly sat down behind the parapet, closely watching, through an embrasure, for coming events. At early dawn the well-known report of the same rifle was heard, and the column of smoke ascending from the thiek top of a black oak tree, some thirty or forty rods distant, showed the whereabouts of the marksman. The sergeant of the guard was soon on the spot, and the com- mandant notified that the perch of the sharpshooter had been discovered. A four-pounder was quickly loaded with can- ister and grape, and the sound of this morning gun boomed "o'er hill and vale" in the distance, immediately succeeded by a shout from the garrison, as they beheld one of Britain's red allies tumbling head foremost from the tree top. On examining the counterfeit sentinel, the holes through the various folds of the knapsack were more than circumstantial
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evidence that the aim was most sure, and that had the owner stood in its place, he would have followed to his account those who had preceded. It is hardly necessary to add, that the sentinels on the north-west bastion were not afterwards molested.
For a while we will leave this heroic garrison, and detail the prominent causes which led to the raising of the siege.
On the 17th of July preceding, Brig .- Gen. Nicholas Her- kimer issued the following proclamation, in what was then Tryon County : -
" Whereas, it appears certain that the enemy, of about 2,000 strong, Christians and savages, are arrived at Oswego, with the intention to invade our frontiers, I think it proper and most necessary for the defence of our country, and it shall be ordered by me as soon as the enemy approaches, that every male person, being in health, from sixteen to sixty years of age, in this county, shall, as in duty bound. repair immediately, with arms and accontrements, to the place to be appointed in my orders, and will then march to oppose the enemy with vigor, as true patriots, for the just defence of their country. And those that are above sixty years, or really unwell and incapable to march, shall then assemble, also armed, at the respective places where women and children will be gathered together, in order for defence against the enemy, if attacked, as much as lies in their power. But concerning the disaffected, and who will not directly obey such orders, they shall be taken, along with their arms, secured under guard, to join the main body. And as such an invasion regards every friend to the country in general, but of this county in particular, to show his zeal and well affected spirit in actual defence of the same, all the members of the committee, as well as all those who, by
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former commissions or otherwise, have been exempted from any other military duty, are requested to repair also, when called, to such place as shall be appointed, and join to re- pulse our foes. Not doubting that the Almighty Power. upon our humble prayers and sincere trust in Him, will then graciously succor our arms in battle for our just cause. and victory can not fail on our side."
The letter from Thomas Spencer received at Fort Stan- wix on the 30th of July was, as it directed, forthwith sent to the committee of Tryon County, and means were imme- diately taken for the assembling of as many of the militia as possible. Their own firesides were to be invaded ; the time for exertion had come, a time which they ought to have anticipated, and for which, from the ample notice they had received, they ought to have made the best possible prepara- tion. They were determined, however, to atone for their neglect. The fears excited by their previous losses had con- siderably subsided, and Gen. Herkimer soon found himself at the head of 800 men, most of the committee being among the number, as officers or volunteers.
They set forward in high spirits, and on the night of the 5th of August encamped at what is now Oriskany, where the creek of that name unites with the Mohawk, little dreaming that to one-fourth of their number it was their last rest until the sleep which knows no waking.
After he had encamped, Gen. Herkimer dispatched Adam Helmer to the fort, with letters to Col. Gansevoort, giving him notice of his arrival at Oriskany, and requesting his aid, by a sally from the fort, on the arrival of the reinforce- ment ; also directing the firing of three cannon in succession, as a signal that the messenger had succeeded in delivering the letters. On the morning of the 6th, Gen. Herkimer
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was of the opinion that it was not prudent to advance until reinforced, or at least until the signal should be given that a sortie from the fort would be made, to divide the attention of the British. His officers, however, were of a different opinion, and were eager to press forward ; angry words en- sued, in which his two colonels, and other officers, branded their commander as a "tory and a coward." The brave old man replied, "that he considered himself placed over them as a father, and that it was not his wish to lead them into any difficulty from which he could not extricate them ; that, for himself, he had not the same reasons to be cautious and prudent as had many of his officers and men, - that Prov- idence had denied him children, and if he fell, no child would be left without a paternal protector; but if they raslily ran into danger, and lost their lives, many would be the children in the Mohawk Valley who would be left father- less, and this at a time when Fort Stanwix and its little garrison would be all that would be left between the cruel savages, and more savage tories, and their firesides; that he feared if his little band failed in relieving the fort, it would soon surrender, and then nothing could save their homes from the firebrand, and their good wives and children from the tomahawk and sealping knife; that, burning as they now seemed to meet the enemy, they would run at his first ap- pearance." The clamor, however, increased, with repeated reproaches of toryism and cowardice, until, stung to the quick and irritated, he gave the word-" March on." ()n receiving the command, the troops gave a shout, and in rather pell mell order, rapidly moved forward. This state of things prevented the precaution of throwing out flanking parties, so necessary where a savage foe and ambuscades were to be anticipated. This was the more inexcusable, as the letter from Oneida had given them timely warning.
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St. Leger, having received notice of the approach of Gen. IIerkimer, dispatched Col. Butler, with a large portion of his loyalist force, and Brant, with most of the Indians, to intercept him. . Brant, not feeling entirely satisfied that the force detailed was sufficient to cope with Gen. Herkimer, and wishing to learn his numbers and order of march, dis- patched a scouting party of Indians to obtain, if possible, the desired information. For this purpose the party proceeded to a small stream about a mile west of Oriskany, where they secreted one of their number in a hole dug in procuring earth to cover a causeway in the ravine, and about thirty feet from the road which Gen. Herkimer would take, cover- ing him from view with hemlock brush. Here, snugly en- sconsed, he correctly numbered Herkimer's command as it passed, and after the rear-guard had gone by, made a rapid movement through the forest, and informed Brant of the exact strength of the party, and which was not as numerous as Brant had supposed.
Brant and Butler had selected a place well fitted by nature for the attack. The road leading then from Oriskany to Fort Stanwix, was through an unbroken forest, and about two miles from the former, crossed the deep ravine, some thirty rods north of the present road to Rome. The bottoni of the ravine was marshy, but a log causeway rendered it passable. The ambuscade commenced at the ravine, the enemy lying concealed on both sides of the road, for almost a mile above it. Gen. Herkimer, who rode a white horse, was in the advance with Coxe's regiment, and had crossed the smaller ravine some little distance above the one first mentioned, and the whole column in open order, with the exception of the rear-guard, composed of Vischer's regiment. had passed the causeway, when the Indian war-whoop was given as the signal of attack, and the murderous conflict
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commenced. The attack was general, and from every quar- ter. The Indians immediately closed up the opening at the causeway, severing the rear-guard from the main body, and thus situated, it broke and fled. They were pursued by the Indians, and no portion of the little army suffered as severely, and it is believed they would have suffered less had they manfully cut their way to the main body. On receiving tho first fire, Gen. Herkimer ordered Col. Cox to wheel his regiment into line, in the road, and this was attempted, but the fire from the unseen foe was so severe, that soon every man took to a tree. It now became a contest of individual feats of noble courage and daring. Soon after the com- mencement of the action, Gen. Herkimer, who still remained with the advanced regiment, received a ball about six inches below the knee, which shattered the bone, and also killed the horse on which he rode. His saddle was taken from the prostrate steed, and placed by the side of the trunk of a fallen tree, where the brave old General, reclining against the tree, continued to issue his orders. For a considerable time there was much confusion and disorder, but this was followed by the discovery that concert of action was neces- sary for an effective defence, and soon tolerable order was restored, and the men formed in circles, the better to repel the attacks of the enemy, who were now closing in upon them on all sides. In a great measure the firing had ceased, but the work of death was progressing with the tomahawk, the bayonet, the knife, and clubbed musket, and resistance became effective. At this juncture a heavy shower of rain arose, which arrested the fight for more than an hour, and this gave Herkimer's men an opportunity to organize still more perfectly. A circle was formed around the wounded General, and it became necessary to place two men to a tree instead of one, with orders for but one to fire at a time.
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This was to counteract the tactics of the Indians, who, whenever they saw a musket discharged from behind a tree, ran up and tomahawked its owner before he had time to reload. After the rain had subsided, the fight was renewed with still deadlier ardor, and the advantages of the new ar- rangement were soon seen, for the life of many a tawny son of the forest paid the forfeit of his temerity in rushing be- hind a tree where there was still a loaded musket. It soon became apparent, from their flagging efforts, that the Indians were becoming sick of the fight, and hope began to animate the Americans. At this point the enemy were reinforced by a detachment of " Johnson's Greens," led by Maj. Stephen Watt, a brother-in-law of Col. Jolm Johnson. The regiment of which it was a part was raised by Col. Johnson in Canada. but a large portion of the men were refugees from the Mo- hawk Valley. The blood of the Dutchmen boiled at the sight of these teries, for they were, in many instances, per- sonal acquaintances, who had fled their country, and were now returned as enemies, and a mutual recognition took place. Revenge and hate doubly nerved the arms of Her- kimer's men, and they fired upon them. and then springing from their covers, attacked them with bayonets, and when these were wanting, with the butts of their muskets; or throttling each other, and drawing their knives. stabbing. and frequently dying in each other's embrace. In this last assault, Col. Cox was killed. He possessed a daring spirit, and mingled in the thickest of the fight, and his voice could be heard cheering on his men, above the clashing of arms or the yells of the savages. This murderous conflict con- tinued for half an hour, in which Major Watt was wounded and taken prisoner, but left on the field. Col. Willett's narrative states that this officer was slain, but in this was incorrect. He was left, as was supposed, mortally wounded,
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but after the battle he crawled to a stream of water, and slaked his thirst, and this was his only nourishment for two days, when he was found alive by some Indian scouts, and brought into St. Leger's camp. A heavy firing in the direc- tion of Fort Stanwix leading the British to believe that their presence was more needed in that quarter, the retreat was sounded, and nothing loth, they withdrew, leaving the Tryon County militia the honor of retaining the battle field. It was, however, purchased at a fearful price: two hundred Americans, one-fourth of their original number, were either dead on the field, or too severely wounded to be removed. Col. Cox, and Majors Ersinlord, Klepsattle, and Van Slyck, were among the slain, with Thomas Spencer, the Indian interpreter. Without burying the dead, with such wounded as could be removed, the shattered remains of this gallant band retraced their way to old Fort Schuyler, the present site of Utica, where they encamped for the night, and on the next day many of the men reached their homes. Tryon County was literally filled with mourning. There was scarcely a family in the Mohawk Valley but what had lost some relative, a father, brother, or cousin .*
Few battles have been fought at a greater disadvantage, than was that of Oriskany to the Americans. On the first attack, their baggage and ammunition waggons fell into the hands of the enemy, and their cartridge boxes therefore con- tained their all of ammunition ; the day was warm, and sur- rounded as they were, no water could be procured ; under all these disadvantages, they defended themselves for six
Judge Gray, of Herkimer, now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of this State, informed the author that his grandfather, two uneles, and other more distant relatives, were killed in the battle. Another unele, Lieut. Samuel Gray, was in the battle, but escaped unhurt, and assisted in carrying Gen. Herkimer from the field.
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long hours. They had acted rashly in moving forward as they did in the morning, but by their unyielding courage they well retrieved their reputation. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which the battle was fought, the enemy were caused to suffer equally with themselves. The loyal- ists and Indians each lost in killed about 100, besides many wounded. The Sencea Indians were placed by Brant in and near the ravine, and fifteen of their chiefs fell in that part of the field.
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