History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 34

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 34

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).

" From the grand marshal's tent the view presented at the time of the moving of the column on the field was one that never can be for- gotten. The amphitheatre seemed to be formed for the occasion, It commanded a view of the whole of the grounds, with the exception of the centre of the southern portion of the ravine. The eminence on the east side, with Camp Seymour, the enmps on the south side of the road, the village of booths and tents, the brilliant military display, and, more imposing than all, the constantly moving mass of humanity that covered every portion of the field and all its surroundings, formed a panoramie view that has never been surpassel, if equaled, io this State. . . . In addition to the masses within view, the road between Oriskany and Rome was filled with people, and all the fields for miles around were occupied at noon."

The vast concourse was called to order by John F. Sey- mour, chairman of the General . Committee of Arrange- ments, and Chief-of-Staff Everts announced the order of exercises.

After prayer by Rev. Dr. E. M. Van Deusen, of Grace Church, Utica, Governor Seymour was introduced by Mr. Graham, of Oriskany, and delivered the welcoming address.

Governor Seymour's lectures and addresses upon the his- tory of his State and nation are always original, scholarly, and interesting, and we deem no apology necessary for re- producing his remarks upon this occasion, which were as follows:

" All who care for the glory of our country; all who love to study: the history of events which have shaped our civilization, government, and laws; all who seek to lift up the virtues of our people by filling their minds with lofty standards of patriotism, will rejoice that we meet here to-day on this battle-field to honor the courage and devotion dis- played here one hundred years ago. The sacred duty in which we are. engaged does not merely concern the memories of the dead,-it teaches the duties and elevates the character of the living. The command that we honor our fathers is .not only a religious requirement, but it is a grave maxim of jurisprudence. Those who think and speak of virtue and patriotism sow in their own and in the minds of others the seeds of virtue and patriotism. The men of the valley of the Mohawk will be wiser and better for this gathering upon the spot where their fatherg fought and suffered and bled to uphold the cause of this country.

" The preparations for this celebration, the events of the day, the. facts which will be brought to light, the duties which will he taught, will in some degree tell upon the character of every man before me. They will do more. They will revive the legends of the past in every household in the valley. They will give them currency among all classes, and weave them into woof and warp of popular knowledge. Much that was dying out will be revived and stamped upon the mem- ories of the oncoming generation. This celebration makes our hills and streams teachers of virtue. It gives new interest to the course of our river and our valley. For, henceforth, they will recall to our minds more clearly the events of the past. Every spot, noted for some stir- ring act will hereafter, as we pass them by, remind us of the.deeds of our fathers. The old churches and houses built when Britain .ruled our country, and which were marred by war when this valley was desolated hy toreh and tomahawk, will grow more saered in our eyes, Their time-worn walls will teach us, in their silent way, to think of suffering, of bloodshed, of ruthless savages, more dreadful and prolonged than were endured elsewhere during the Revolutionary struggle.

" We are this day bringing out the events of our country in their true light. Historiaos have done much, and well, in making up the records of the past. But their recitals .have not yet become, as they should be, a part of the general intelligence of our people. Views are distorted by local prejudices. Events are not seen in their due proportion, or with proper perspectives. This is mainly due to the neglect of its history by New York. There is a dimness in the popu -. lar vision about this great centre, source, and theatre of events which have shaped the civilization, usages, and government of this conti- nent. This is not only a wrong to our State, but to our Union. It has left the annals of other sections disjointed from their true rela- tionships to the great body of our traditions. This want of an under- standing of the affairs of New York has been to the history of our country what the conquest by Britain of its strongholds during the Revolution would have been to the American cause. It has broken its unity. It has made a broad field of separation between its paths, which has made it difficult to get clear conceptions of its unity and its central sources ..

" Let us who live along the course of the Mohawk now enter upon our duty of making its history as familiar as household words. Let us see that the graves of dead patriots are marked by monuments. : Let suitable structures tell the citizens of other States and countries, when they pass along our thoroughfares, where its great events were enacted. And let all this be done in a way that shall stir our hearts and educate our minds. Let it not be done by virtue of an act of Legislature, hut by virtue of our own efforts and patriotism. Let us not look elsewhere for aid when we would honor the memories of those

130

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

who here served their country in the heart of our State. To my mind this would be as unfit as for that family whose circle has been broken by death to let strangers come in and perform the last sacred office to their departed kindred. Let our colleges teach their students the history of the jurisprudence of New York, and it will make them wiser citizens when they enter upon the duties of life. Let oar more youthful seholars be taught the events and traditions which make our bills instinet with glowing interest. Let the family eirele by the fire- side learn the legends of our valley, and let the mother with glowing pride tell to her offspring what those of their own blood and lineage did for their country's welfare, so that patriotism shall be kindled at each hearthstone. Let the rich man give of his abundance, and the poor what he can, with a willing heart; and then when monuments shall stand on this field, or on other spots consecrated hy the ashes of those who perished for their country, such monuments will not only show that the memories of the dead have been honored, but that the living are intelligent, virtuous, and patriotic.

"When Europeans first came to our shores, they found the region stretching from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, from the great lakes to the centre of the present State of North Carolina, under the control of the Iroquois. They gained their power by their possession of the strongholds of this State. From these they followed the diverging valleys, which gave them pathways into the country of their enemies, who were divided by the chains of mountains which separated the rivers after they had taken their courses from the highlands of New York. For more than a century a contest in arms and diplomacy was carried on between Great Britain and France for the control of the system of the mountains and rivers of this State, which made the Iroquois the masters of all the adjacent tribes. Albany, at the con- Auenee of the Mohawk and Hudson, became the colonial capital of the British settlements. It was the point from which, during all the long years of the French war, most of the military expeditions were sent forth. It was the place at which were held the meetings of the agents of the several colonies, and at which they learned the value of co- operation and conceived the idea of a union of the colonies. Most of the Revolutionary struggle was marked by the same continuous effort of the contending parties to gain control of the commanding positions of this State. When our independence was achieved, the valleys which had been the war-paths of savage and eivilized armies became the great thoroughfares through which the still mighticr armies of immigration from Europe and the East filled the interior of our con- tinent. At our fect are railroads and water routes that have been for a series of years the thoroughfares for a vast current of commerce, and the greatest movement of the human race recorded in its history.

" All other movements, in war or peace, arc insignificant in compar- ison with the vast numbers that have passed along the borders of this battle-field to find homes in the great plains of the West, to organize social systems, and to build up great States. The histories of our coun- try which fail to set forth elearly the events of this great central point are as obscure and as defective as would be an attempt to desoribe the physical aspects of the country, and yet should omit a mention of the great streams of our land on the highlands of our State, which flow from them into the cold waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, into the tepid currents of the Gulf of Mexico, or the great hays of New York, of the Delaware and Chesapeake. The currents of events which dis- tinguish our history, like the currents of our rivers, have largely had their origin in our territory.

"To the ceremonies of this day, in honor of those who battled for American liberty in the past, and in the faith that this day's procced- ings will promote virtuc and patriotism in the future, we extend a wel- come to all in attendance here; to the State officials who honor us by their presence; to citizens and soldiers who manifest their gratitude to those who sacrifieel so much on this ground for the public welfare.

" It is with no ordinary feelings that we meet with the descendants of those who fought at the battle of Oriskany,-one of the most fierce and bloody contests of the Revolution. As we saw them coming along the course of the Mohawk the past seemed to he recalled. When we look at the array from the upper valley and those who sallied from Fort Stanwix to join ns here, we feel reinforced by friends, as our fathers, from the samo quarters. We welcome all to this celebration of patri- otic service and sacrifice. When it is olosed we shall bid you God-speed to your several homes, with the prayer that in your different walks of life you will do your duty as manfully and serve your country as faith- fully as the men who battled so bravely on this ground one hundred years ago."

Among other mementos exhibited on the ground was the old flag of the 3d New York Regiment, which had been preserved in the Gansevoort family, and which is now the property of Mrs. Abraham Lansing, of Albany, who had been persuaded to bring the time-worn relie to be exhibited at the centennial celebration. The concluding remarks of Governor Seymour refer to this lady and the flag :

" It is a just source of patriotie pride to those who live in this valley that the flag of our country (with the stars and stripes) was first dis- played in the face of our enemies on the banks of the Mohawk. Here it was haptized in the blood of battle. Here it first waved in triumph over a retreating foe. When the heroie defenders of Fort Stanwix learned in that remote fortress the emblem 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 materials cut from the elothing of the soldiers as were fitted to show its colors and its designs. But no other standard, however skillfully wrought upon silken folds, could equal in interest this first flag of our country worked out by the unskilled hands of brave men, amid the strife of war, and under the fire of heleagucring focs. 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.

" It was to uphold the cause of which it was the emblem that they battled here. Time has destroyed that standard. But I hold in my hand another banner hardly less sacred in its associations with our history. It is the flag of our State, which was borne by the regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort, not only here at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, but also when it was ended by the surrender of the British army at Yorktown. The brave soldier who carried it through so many contests, valued it above all earthly possessions. Ho left it as a precious heir-loom to his family. They have kept it with such faithful care that again, after a century has rolled away, its folds can be displayed in this valley to another generation, who will look upon it with a devotion cqual to that felt by those who followed it on the battle-fields of the Revolution. When it is now unfurled, let it re- ceive the military honors accorded to it a hundred years ago; and let us reverently uncover our heads in memory of the dead who watched and guarded it through the bloodshed and perils of ancient war."

John F. Seymour then unfurled the old flag, at the sight of which the immense audience gave three hearty cheers, the military presented arins, and the bands played the " Star Spangled Banner." The Fultonville battery fired a salute, and cheer after cheer was given by the multitude.

In alluding to the lady who owned the flag, Governor Seymour said,-

" We owe it to the kindness of a lady, the granddaughter of the heroic Gansevoort, that the interest of this occasion has been heightened by the exhibition of the banner which was just displayed. As I have stated, he left it as an heir-loom to bis descendants. It now belongs to his granddaughter, Mrs. Abraham Lansing, of Albany. We could not ask her to surrender it even for a short time into our hands, for we felt that no one of the lineage of Colonel Gansevoort would surrender a flag. The effort to get him to do that was unsuccessfully tried by St. Leger, although he had an army to enforce his demands. We there- fore urged her to honor us by ber presence at this time, and to bring with her, as its guardian, the banner which has just been exhibited. I know I express the feelings of this assemblage when I say that, in complying with our request, she has conferred upon us a favor which will long be remembered in the valley of the Mohawk. In behalf of this assembly, I thank her for her kindness, and for her presence on this occasion,"

The afternoon exercises at the main or west stand were opened at a quarter of three o'clock P.M., by the Old Utica Band, after which a large number of letters were read from distinguished persons who had been invited but who were unable to attend, among whom were President Hayes, Vice-

131

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

President Wheeler, Secretary Evarts, General W. T. Sher- man, through his aide-de-camp, Major Whipple, ex-Secre- tary Fish, ex-Governor Dix, General McClellan, William Cullen Bryant, General Sigel, Hon. S. S. Cox, Governer Robinson, Benson J. Lossing, ex-Governor Morgan, Bay- ard Taylor, Adjutant-General Towosend, Hon. Sidney Breese, Alfred B. Street, President Brown, of Hamilton College, President Potter, of Union College, Thomas Dunn English, and others.

The regular speaking of the day was opened by Lieuten- ant-Governor Dorsheimer, who made a short address, taking for his subject " The Nationality of Oriskany," which he handled in a happy manner. Hon. W. J. Bacon followed with a comparison of " Oriskany and Thermopyla," in his happiest vein ; and next succeeding him came Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, who delivered the historical address, entitled, " BATTLE OF ORISKANY : ITS PLACE IN HISTORY." This was the most important effort of the day, and fully justified the expectations of the people, who had been promised a rare historical treat. Mr. Roberts had evi- dently studied his subject thoroughly from the standpoint of every writer of prominence, American or foreign ; and the result was a gathering together of more information upon the battle of Oriskany, and the siege of Fort Stanwix, than ever before attempted by a single writer. The ad- dress involved a thorough sifting and comparing of an im- mense amount of material, and an exhaustive essay upon every phase of the subject. It was treated in a masterly and impartial manner, and the orator is entitled to the lasting gratitude of the people of the Mohawk Valley for placing before them the most complete and reliable history of the two great events under consideration.

This valuable contribution to the standard history of our country can be found entire in the " Centennial Volume Commemorative of the Battle of Oriskany," published at the office of the Utica Herald, in March, 1878. The vol- ume also contains all the speeches and addresses made upon that interesting occasion, together with poems, letters, and much additional matter, which want of space forbids us from transferring to the pages of this work.

Short addresses were made by Major Douglass Campbell, Hon. Philo White, Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, Chancellor E. O. Haven, of the Syracuse University, Samuel Earl, Esq., and M. M. Jones, Esq., eachi upon an appropriate subject ; and two meritorious poems were also read: one from the pen of Rev. C. D. Helmer, D.D .; the other by General J. Watts Depeyster.

The day will long be remembered by the inhabitants of the beautiful valley of the Mohawk.

CHAPTER XIII. SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.

Alarms in the Valleys of the Hudson and Mohawk-The Six Nations and Congress-Lafayette-Treaty with France-Trouble at Fort Schuyler-Raids into the Mohawk Valley-Destruction of Indion Towns-The Cherry Valley Massacre.

THE battles of Oriskany and Bennington, and the repulse of St. Leger from before Fort Stanwix, hastened the failure of the main expedition under Burgoyne. The people of

New York and New England, elated with the wonderful success attending the American arms, now flocked in great numbers to the standard of General Gates .*

Two obstinate battles were fought between the armies on the 19th of September and 7th of October, with results highly encouraging to the Americans, and correspondingly depressing to the enemy.

Finding it impossible to advance any farther towards Albany, Burgoyne made a desperate effort to retreat to Lake Champlain ; but the American forces, now nearly treble his own, had completely surrounded him and taken possession of all the passes in his rear, and on the 17th of October the whole British army was compelled to surrender pris- oners of war.

The rejoicing throughout the land was universal, and the belief was general that this great victory over a veteran army would ere long result in the independence of the country and the closing of the war. Though the glory of this grand result was enjoyed by General Gates as the con- tral figure in the play, it was nevertheless almost exclusively owing to the excellent preparations made by General Schuy- ler that the joyful result was accomplished. The sudden collapse of Gates in the Southern campaign, and his part in the intrigue to supplant the commander-in-chief, soon satisfied the American people that his talents and abilities had been greatly overestimated ; and from that day to this there has been a settled conviction that the honors of the brilliant campaign of 1777 belonged to General Philip Schuyler and his gallant companions in arms.

The capture of Burgoyne and the retreat of St. Leger did not, however, entirely relieve the frontiers of New York from occasional alarm. The Johnsons, Butlers, Colonel Claus, and the Mohawk chieftain were still in the field plotting mischief to the colonists and watching every oppor- tunity to harass and destroy. Attempts were made by the Tories to assassinate several of the leading men of the Whigs, among them Mr. John Taylor, a member of the Albany Council of Safety, and General Schuyler.

Early in the autumn information came from the Oneida Indians that a formidable force of Tories and Indians, under Johnson and Butler, was gathering at Oswego, and that an attack would be made upon five of the most prominent set- tlements lying west of Schenectady.

Scouting parties of the enemy appeared about the same time upon the Sacondaga River north of Johnstown. In the latter part of October an express arrived at the Cana- joharie Castle with the intelligence that within a few days Sir John Johnson would concentrate at Oswego six hundred regular troops and a large number of Indians, of whom, the messenger stated, he had succeeded in enlisting twenty-two nations. A belt was to be sent to the Oneidas, and if they refused to take up arms for the king they were to be the first attacked. These facts were communicated to General Schuyler, by a letter, on the 25th of October, which also announced the flight, to the ranks of the enemy, of Hon-

# The commanders of the Northero army had been repeatedly changed. Ou the 25th of March, Gates had superseded Schuyler; on the 22d of May, Schuyler had superseded Gates ; and again, on the 19th of August, Gates had superseded Schuyler. The latter remained with the army until after Burgoyne's surrender.

132

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Yost Schuyler and a dozen or more of his neighbors from Fall Hill and vicinity. A strong appeal for an additional. force to defend the valley was made, with the assurance that in the event of receiving no further assistance the in- habitants would be compelled to throw themselves on the mercy of the enemy.

But notwithstanding this alarm nothing serious occurred. during the remainder of 1777.,

Another attempt was made by Congress to win over the Six Nations. A remarkably able address was drawn up, adopted, and delivered to them, But against the lavish. presents of the British government and the influence of Thayendanegea no impression could be made, except so far as the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were concerned, who re- mained true. to their former friendship ..

On the 15th day of November; 1777, " Articles of Con- federation and Perpetual Union" between the thirteen colo- nies were adopted by Congress, and on the 22d of the same month it. was, resolved that all negotiations between the United States and Great Britain, except upon the basis of, the independence of the colonies, should be rejected; and. it was further resolved that no conference should be held. with any commissioners or other agents of Great Britain,, unlessy as a preliminary measure thereto, the fleets and armies of the latter should be withdrawn.

News. of Burgoyne's surrender reached France. in De- cember, 'and was received by the French people with as hearty demonstrations of joy as if it had been a victory of their own.

This great event determined the French government to openly espouse the cause of the Americans, and. on the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty was signed between the two nations, by which France pledged herself to aid and assist the colonies to a successful issue in their struggle for inde- pendence.

The news of this important event reached the United States late in, the spring. It was communicated to the army on the 7th of May, and caused unbounded joy.

. In the beginning of 1778, Congress resolved to make one more effort to conciliate the Six Nations, and on the 2d of February resolutions were passed directing that a council should be held at Johnstown. Congress appointed General Schuyler and' Volkert P. Douw commissioners, and re- quested Governor Clinton, of New York, to designate a special commissioner to be present, and James Duane was accordingly appointed.

It was intended to hold the council between the 15th and. 20tb of February, but the Indians were so dilatory in ar- riving that proceedings were not commenced until the 9th of March.

It is not certain that General Schuyler attended this council ; but the Marquis de Lafayette, who was' then- temporarily in command of the Northern Department, ac- companied Mr. Duane to Johnstown and was present during the negotiations.

It is said that over 700 Indians were on the ground, in- eluding Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onondagas, a few Mohawks, and three or four Coyugas; but not a single individual from the most powerful nation of the Confederacy, the Senecas.

Instead of sending delegates they sent a message affecting great surprise " that while our tomahawks were sticking in their heads, their wounds bleeding, and their eyes streaming with tears for the loss of their friends at German Flats,* the commissioners should think of inviting them to a .treaty !"

The proceedings were opened on the part of Congress by an address, which, while conciliatory in its tone, nevertheless took firm ground against the treacherous course pursued by four of the Six Nations, and threatened in case they did not lay down the hatchet and refrain from further acts of violence, the heavy hand of war should be visited upon them to the utmost, and in every part of their land.

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were highly commended, for the course they had taken, and assured of friendship and protection.

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.

History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 34

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920