USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
34
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
by the relation. While engaged in the struggle some of his own men called out to Gardenier-'for God's sake, Captain, you are killing your own men!' He replied-'they are not our men-they are the enemy-fire away !' A deadly fire from the Provincials ensued, during which about thirty of the Greens fell slain, and many Indian warriors. The parties once more rushed upon each other with bayonet and spear, grappling and fighting with terrible fury; while the shattering of shafts and the clashing of steel mingled with every dread sound of war and death, and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented a scene which can be more easily imagined than described. The un- paralleled fortitude and bravery of Captain Gardenier infused fresh spirits into his men, some of whom enacted wonders of valor likewise. It happened during the melee, in which the contending parties were mingled in great con- fusion, that three of Johnson's Greens rushed within the circle of the Pro- vincials, and attempted to make prisoner of a Captain Dillenback. This offi- cer had declared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One of his three assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched it from him, and felled him with the butt. He shot the second dead, and thrust the third through with his bayonet. But in the moment of his triumph at an exploit of which even the mighty Hector, or either of the sons of Zeruiah might have been proud, a ball laid this brave man low in the dust.
"Such a conflict as this could not be continued long; and the Indians, per- ceiving with what ardor the Provincials maintained the fight, and finding their own numbers sadly diminished, now raised the retreating cry of 'Oonah!' and fled in every direction, under the shouts and hurrahs of the surviving Provin- cials and a shower of bullets. Finding, moreover, from the firing at the fort, that their presence was necessary elsewhere, the Greens and Rangers now re- treated precipitately, leaving the victorious militia of Tryon county masters of the field.
"Thus ended one of the severest, and, for the numbers engaged, one of the most bloody battles of the Revolutionary war. Though victorious, the loss of the Provincials was very heavy, and Tryon county had reason to mourn that day. Colonel Paris was taken prisoner by the enemy, and afterward murdered by the Indians. Several other prisoners were also killed by the savages, after they had been brought into Colonel Butler's quarters; and, as it was said, by the Colonel's own tacit consent, if not permission in terms. But the general character of that officer forbids the imputation. Major John Frey, of Colonel Klock's regiment, was likewise wounded and taken; and to show the more than savage fury burning in the bosoms of the men brought into conflict on this occasion, the disgraceful fact may be added, that his own brother, wbo was in the British service, attempted to take his life after he had arrived in Butler's camp. The Major saw his brother approaching in a menacing man- ner, and called out-'Brother, do not kill me! Do you not know me?' But the infuriated brother rushed forward, and the Major was only saved by the interposition of others. The whole number of the Provincial militia killed was two hundred, exclusive of wounded and lost as prisoners. Such, at least, was the American report. The British statements claimed that four hundred of the Americans were killed, and two hundred taken prisoners.
DEDICATION OF THE HERKIMER MONUMENT ON THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD, AUGUST 6, 1884. Erected in the year 1883, by the Oneida Historical Society to the memory of General Nicholas Herkimer and his associate patriots, who fought in the battle August 6, 1777
THE SWAMP OF THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD
35
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
"Retaining possession of the field, the survivors immediately set themselves at work in constructing rude litters, upon which to bear off the wounded. Be- tween forty and fifty of these, among whom was the commanding general, were removed in this manner. The brave old man, notwithstanding the imprudence of the morning-imprudence in allowing a premature movement at the dicta- tion of his subordinates-had nobly vindicated his character for courage dur- ing the day. Though wounded, as we have seen, in the onset, he had borne himself during the six hours of conflict, under the most trying circumstances, with a degree of fortitude and composure worthy of all admiration. Nor was his example without effect in sustaining his troops amid the perils by which they were environed. At one time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle raised upon a little hillock, being advised to select a less exposed sit- uation, he replied-'I will face the enemy.' Thus, 'surrounded by a few men, he continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and in the heat of the onslaught, he deliberately took his tinder-box from his pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great composure.' At the moment the soldiers were placing him on the litter, while adjusting the blankets to the poles, three Indians approached, and were instantly shot down by the unerring rifles of three of the militia. These were the last shots fired in that battle.
"The loss of the enemy in this engagement was equally, if not more severe, than that of the Americans. The Greens and Rangers of Sir John Johnson and Colonel Butler must have suffered badly, although no returns were given in the contemporaneous accounts. Major Watts was severely wounded and left on the field, as was supposed, among the slain. His death was reported by Colonel Willett in his letter to Governor Trumbell, and by others in au- thority. But such was not the fact. Reviving from faintness produced by loss of blood, some hours after the action, he succeeded in crawling to a brook, where, by slaking his thirst, he was preserved from speedy death, and in the course of two or three days was found by some Indian scouts, and brought into St. Leger's camp. But the Indians were the most roughly handled, they having lost nearly one hundred warriors, several of whom were sachems in great favor. Frederick Sammons, who had been detached upon a distant scout previous to the battle, returning some days afterward, crossed the battlefield, where, he says, 'I beheld the most shocking sight I had ever witnessed. The Indians and white men were mingled with one another, just as they had been left when death had first completed his work. Many bodies had also been torn to pieces by wild beasts.'
"It has been affirmed that the Indians were persuaded to join in this battle only with great difficulty, and not until they had been induced to sacrifice their reason to their appetites. It was very manifest that during the action many of them were intoxicated. The consequence was, that they suffered more severely than ever before. According to the narrative of Mary Jemison, the Indians (at least the Senecas), were deceived into the campaign. 'They were sent for to see the British whip the rebels. They were told that they were not wanted to fight, but merely to sit down, smoke their pipes, and look on. The Senecas went to a man; but, contrary to their expectation, instead of smoking and looking on, they were obliged to fight for their lives; and in the end of the battle were completely beaten, with a great loss of killed and wounded.'
36
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
"The whole Indian force was led by Thayendanegea in person-'the great Captain of the Six Nations,' as he was then called-and as the Cayugas had now likewise joined the Mohawks in alliance with the arms of England-the Onondagas adopting a doubtful policy, but always, in fact, acting against the Provincials-he must have had a large force in the field. Of the Senecas about thirty-six were killed, and a great number wounded. Captain Brant was accustomed, long years afterward, to speak of the sufferings of his 'poor Mohawks' in the battle. Indeed, the severity with which they were handled on that occasion, rendered them morose and intractable during the remainder of the campaign; and the unhappy prisoners were the first to minister with their blood to their resentment. 'Our town,' says Mary Jemison, 'exhibited a scene of real sorrow and distress when our warriors returned and recounted their misfortunes, and stated the real loss they had sustained in the engagement. The mourning was excessive, and was expressed by the most doleful yells, shrieks, and howlings, and by inimitable gesticulations.'
"It was unfortunate that General Herkimer formed his line of march with so little judgment that, when attacked, his men were in no situation to support each other; and more unfortunate still, that he marched at all, so long before he could expect to hear the concerted signal for the diversion to be made in his favor by the sortie of Colonel Willett. The heavy rain storm, moreover, which caused a suspension of the battle, had likewise the effect of delaying the sally for nearly an hour. It was made, however, as soon as it was practi- cable, and was not only completely successful, but was conducted with such ability and spirit by the gallant officer to whom it was confided, as to win for him the applause of the foe himself. In addition to the two hundred men detailed for this service, under Colonel Willett's command, as before stated, fifty more were added to guard the light iron three pounder already mentioned. With these troops, and this his only piece of mounted ordnance, Colonel Will- ett lost not a moment, after the cessation of the rain, in making the sally. The enemy's sentinels being directly in sight of the fort, the most rapid move- ments were necessary. The sentinels were driven in, and his advanced guard attacked, before he had time to form his troops. Sir John Johnson, whose regiment was not more than two hundred yards distant from the advanced guard, it being very warm, was in his tent, divested of his coat at the moment, and had not time to put it on before his camp was assailed. Such, moreover, were the celerity of Willett's movement and the impetuosity of the attack, that Sir John could not bring his troops into order, and their only resource was in flight. The Indian encampment was next to that of Sir John, and in turn was carried with equal rapidity. The larger portion of the Indians, and a detachment from the regiment of Sir John, were, at the very moment of this unexpected assault upon their quarters, engaged in the battle of Oriskany. Those who were left behind now betook themselves,-Sir John and his men to the river,-and the Indians to their natural shelter, the woods-the troops of Colonel Willett firing briskly upon them in their flight. The amount of spoil found in the enemy's camp was so great, that Willett was obliged to send hastily to the fort for wagons to convey it away. Seven of these vehicles were three times loaded and discharged in the fort, while the brave little Pro-
37
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
vincial band held possession of the encampments. Among the spoils thus captured, consisting of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, etc., were five British standards, the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all his papers, the baggage of a number of other officers, with memoranda, journals, and or- derly books, containing all the information desirable on the part of the be- sieged. While Colonel Willett was returning to the fort, Colonel St. Leger, who was on the opposite side of the river, attempted a movement to intercept him. Willett's position, however, enabled him to form his troops so as to give the enemy a full fire in front, while at the same time he was enfiladed by the fire of a small field-piece. The distance was not more than sixty yards be- tween them; and although St. Leger was not backward in returning the fire, his aim was nevertheless so wild as to be entirely without effect. The assail- ants returned into the fortress in triumph, without having lost a man-the British flags were hoisted on the flag-staff under the American-and the men, ascending the parapets, gave three as hearty cheers as were ever shouted by the same number of voices. Among the prisoners brought off by the victors was Lieutenant Singleton, of Sir John Johnson's regiment. Several Indians were found dead in their camp, and others were killed in crossing the river. The loss to the enemy, particularly in stores and baggage, was great; while the affair itself was of still more importance, from the new spirit of patriotic en- thusiasm with which it inspired the little garrison. For this chivalrous ex- ploit Congress passed a resolution of thanks, and directed the Commissary General of military stores to procure an elegant sword, and present the same to Colonel Willett in the name of the United States.
"General Herkimer did not long survive the battle. He was conveyed to his own house near the Mohawk river, a few miles below the Little Falls; where his leg, which had been shattered five or six inches below the knee, was amputated about ten days after the battle by a young French surgeon in the army of General Arnold, and contrary to the advice of the general's own medical adviser, the late Doctor Petrie. But the operation was unskilfully performed, and it was found impossible by his attendants to staunch the blood. Colonel Willett called to see the general soon after the operation. He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his mouth, smoking, and talking in ex- cellent spirits. He died the night following that visit. His friend, Colonel John Roff, was present at the amputation, and affirmed that he bore the op- eration with uncommon fortitude. He was likewise with him at the time of his death. The blood continuing to flow-there being no physician in imme- diate attendance and being himself satisfied that the time of his departure was nigh, the veteran directed the Holy Bible to be brought to him. He then opened it, and read, in the presence of those who surrounded his bed, with all the composure which it was possible for any man to exhibit, the thirty- eighth psalm-applying it to his own situation. He soon afterward expired; and it may well be questioned whether the annals of man furnish a more strik- ing example of Christian heroism-calm, deliberate, and firm in the hour of death-than is presented in this remarkable instance. Of the early history of General Herkimer but little is known. It has been already stated that his family was one of the first of the Germans who planted themselves in the
38
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Mohawk valley. And the massive stone mansion, yet standing at German Flats, bespeaks its early opulence. He was an uneducated man, with, if pos- sible, less skill in letters, even than General Putnam, which is saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of strong and vigorous understanding-des- titute of some of the essential requisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless courage. These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and bloody expedition to Oriskany. But he must have been well ac- quainted with that most important of all books-The Bible. Nor could the most learned biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a portion of the Sa- cred Scriptures more exactly appropriate to the situation of the dying soldier, than that to which he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like a philosopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving sentimentalist, General Herki- mer died like a Christian hero. Congress passed a resolution requesting the Governor and Council of New York to erect a monument at the expense of the United States, to the memory of this brave man, of the value of five hundred dollars. This resolution was transmitted to the governor of New York, George Clinton, in a letter from which the following passage is quoted :- 'Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of such illustrious men as offer up their lives for the liberty and happiness of their country, reflects real honor on those who pay the tribute; and by holding up to others the prospect of fame and immortality, will animate them to tread in the same path.' Governor Clinton thus wrote to the committee of Tryon county on the occasion :- ' En- closed you have a letter and resolve of Congress, for erecting a monument to the memory of your late gallant General. While with you I lament the cause, I am impressed with a due sense of the great and justly merited honor the Continent has, in this instance, paid to the memory of that brave man.' Such were the feelings of respect for the services and memory of the deceased en- tertained by the great men of that day. Sixty years have since rolled away, and the journal of Congress is the only monument, and the resolution itself the only inscription, which as yet testify the gratitude of the republic to General Nicholas Herkimer."
Strange to say, even the grave of General Herkimer remained substantially unmarked until Warren Herkimer, the grand-nephew of Captain Charles Herki- mer, who fought at Oriskany, erected a monument to the memory of his great- uncle. Since then, however, by the assistance of the government, the state and private contributions, a substantial and beautiful shaft has been erected at the grave of the illustrious soldier. The village of Herkimer has also paid due respect to the hero for whom it is named, by placing in its park a bronze statue of General Herkimer by a son of United States Senator Warner Miller, Burr Miller, who has won fame as an artist. The monument received honor- able mention at the recent Exposition in Paris, France.
The result of the battle of Oriskany was such that both sides claimed a victory, but the Americans held the field. St. Leger continued the siege of the fort until, fearing the advance of Arnold with re-enforcements and through a stratagem instigated by Arnold, he was frightened into a hasty retreat, and made as rapid return to Canada as possible.
Great suffering was endured by the prisoners who were captured by the
ONE OF THE RAVINES OF THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD LOOKING WESTWARD
THE EASTERLY RAVINE OF THE ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD LOOKING NORTHERLY
39
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
English and Indians at the battle of Oriskany. Moses Younglove, who was taken prisoner but afterwards returned to civilization, described it in a poem, and the horrors of the torture inflicted by the Indians upon some of the pris- oners is too dreadful to relate.
It is claimed by all the writers of history and fiction, who have described the events occurring at Fort Stanwix during the War of the Revolution that the Stars and Stripes were first unfurled in battle on this historic ground. The residents of several other localities have claimed the same for their re- spective locations, but it seems to be satisfactorily established that the honor of this important event is justly due to Fort Stanwix.
Governor Seymour, who was most cautious in his statement of facts, and who gave much time to the investigation of this subject, in his address August 6, 1877, at the Centennial celebration of the Battle of Oriskany said: "It is a just source of patriotic pride to those who live in this valley that the flag of our country (with the stars and stripes) was first displayed in the face of our enemies on the banks of the Mohawk. Here it was baptized in the blood of battle. Here it first waved in triumph over a retreating foe. When the heroic defenders of Fort Stanwix learned in that remote fortress the emblems adopted by the Continental Congress for the standards to be borne by its armies, they hastened to make one in accordance with the mandate and to hang it out from the walls of their fortress. It was rudely made of such ma- terials cut from the clothing of the soldiers as were fitted to show its colors and its design. But no other standard, however skilfully wrought upon silken folds, could equal in interest this flag of our country worked out by the un- skilled hands of brave men, amid the strife of war and under the fire of be- leaguering foes. It was to rescue it from its peril that the men of this valley left their homes, and marched through the deep forest to this spot."
No great events connected with the Revolutionary war occurred within Oneida county after the summer of 1777. After the battle of Johnstown the British and Tories retreated toward Canada. There is much uncertainty as to the course which they took, and the only very important event connected with it is that the famous Walter Butler was killed during this retreat. Historians disagree as to where the skirmish occurred in which Butler was killed, but the weight of authority seems to be that it was on the West Canada creek, a short distance below the forks of the West Canada with Black creek, and within the county of Oneida.
At the close of the Revolutionary war the upper Mohawk valley was ab- solutely desolate. From authentic history it cannot be learned that any set- tlement of white people remained. It was actually returned to a wilderness.
CHAPTER IV
ORGANIZATION AND GEOGRAPHY
The territory now known as Oneida county was originally part of Albany county, but in 1772 Tryon county was taken off from Albany and comprised all the state westerly of a line extending north and south through Schoharie county. This new county was named after Governor Tryon. In consequence of his unpopularity an act of the legislature was passed April 2, 1784, chang- ing the name of the county to Montgomery, in honor of the American general who fell in the battle of Quebec. On March 7, 1788, an act was passed fixing the boundaries of the county, and on the same day another act was passed fixing the boundaries of the towns within the county of Montgomery. By this latter act Whitestown was described as bounded easterly by a line run- ning north and south to the confines of the state and across the Mohawk river at the ford near and on the east side of the farm house of William Cunning- ham, and which line was the west boundary of the town of Herkimer, German Flats and Otsego; southerly by the state of Pennsylvania, and west and north by the confines of the state. It will be observed that this town of Whitestown comprised the state of New York westerly from Utica to the bounds of the state, and was nearly one half of its entire territory.
On February 16, 1791, the county of Herkimer was created from Mont- gomery, and the present county of Oneida and much more territory was in- cluded in the new county of Herkimer.
On the 15th day of March, 1798, the county of Oneida was formed from Herkimer. On March 3, 1802, St. Lawrence county was carved out of Oneida, and March 28, 1805, the counties of Jefferson and Lewis were taken off from Oneida. An act was passed March 1, 1816, creating the county of Oswego from Oneida and Onondaga. This was done by taking from Oneida the towns of Constantia, Mexico, New Haven, Redfield, Richmond, Scriba, Volney and Williamstown, and the town of Hannibal from Onondaga county.
By the last act mentioned the bounds of the county were fixed as they now exist, and this territory is divided into 28 towns, which were created as follows: Annsville was taken from Lee, Florence, Camden and Vienna April 12, 1823; Augusta from Whitestown March 15, 1798; Ava from Boonville May 12, 1846; Boonville from Leyden March 28, 1805; Bridgewater from Sangerfield March 24, 1797; Camden from Mexico March 15, 1799; Deerfield from Schuyler March 15, 1798; Florence from Camden February 16, 1805; Floyd from Steuben March 4, 1796; Forestport from Remsen November 24, 1869; Kirkland from Paris April 13, 1827; Lee from Western April 3, 1811; Marcy from Deerfield March 30, 1832; Marshall from Kirkland February 21, 1829; New Hartford
40
ONEIDA COUNTY.
ŁASTERV DATEN T
11
TP ::
47 : 5
PATENT
A
' & FATENT
1
S
14/1/11
.
1.
SCRI BA
SAT. ENT
Ca. 5 fristen
FONDAS
PATENT
25
1
HOLLAND PATENT
ATENT
ONEIDA · LAKE
ONEIN
....
A
South
SERVIS
GAGE S
....
COX.ES
5
UTICA
197
-
+
1.400
% N 3 1V. d
STOCK BRIDGE
I ALN!
INDIANS
BROTH ERTOWN
INDIANS
PART OF
CHENANGO
BAYARD S
....
= TWENTY TO. WN S
10
P
PATE Ar
4 .
RESER VATION
chan
PATENT
SHOWING ORIGINAL PATENTS GRANTS FROM SURVEYOR GENERAL'S MAP
41
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
from Whitestown April 12, 1827; Paris from Whitestown April 10, 1792; Rem- sen from Norway March 15, 1798; Rome from Steuben March 6, 1796; Sanger- field from Paris March 5, 1795; Steuben from Whitestown April 10, 1792; Trenton from Schuyler March 24, 1797; Utica from Whitestown April 7, 1817; Vernon from Westmoreland and Augusta February 17, 1802; Verona from Westmoreland and Augusta February 17, 1802; Vienna was first called Orange, then Bengal, but in 1816 the name was changed to Vienna; Western from Steuben March 10, 1797.
The county consists of 1,215 square miles, and is bounded on the east by Herkimer county; on the south by Madison and Otsego counties; on the west by Madison and Oswego counties, and on the north by Oswego and Lewis coun- ties. Through the county from the town of Western, first southerly then easterly to the Herkimer county line, flows the Mohawk river. Westerly and northerly of Rome the water flows mostly through Fish creek and Mad river to Oneida lake, from the southwest the waters flow quite largely to Oneida creek and into Oneida lake; from the southern part the drainage is to and through the Unadilla river to the Susquehanna; from the northern portion of the county the water finds its way chiefly through Black river into Lake On- tario; and from the northeasterly portion through the West Canada creek to the Mohawk river at Herkimer, and on through the Hudson into New York bay.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.