APPENDIX H. GENERAL HERKIMER'S MARCH, AUGUST 3-6, 1777. An Account of the Dedication of Fourteen Tablets [593] 38 The Events of August 3-6, 1777. On June 14, 1912, the 135th anniversary of the adoption of the United States flag by Congress, fourteen bronze tablets were dedicated at as many different points along the forty-mile route by which General Nicholas Herkimer and his command marched on August 3-6, 1777, to the relief of Fort Stanwix, N. Y. This line of march began at the Herkimer homestead, which is on the south side of the Mohawk River about three miles by road southeast of Little Falls, N. Y., and ended at Fort Stanwix,* the site of which is now in the City of Rome. Gen. Herkimer's march was made under the following circum stances: In the summer of 1777, news reached the Mohawk Valley of the approach of the British forces under Burgoyne from the north by way of Lake Champlain and Lake George and under St. Leger by way of Oswego. This was part of the plan of the British campaign to cut the Colonies in twain by securing complete possession of the Hudson Valley, the idea being that St. Leger and Burgoyne would effect a junction by way of the Champlain, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, while their combined force would be joined by a third expedition going up the Hudson River from New York. Had their plan succeeded, the subsequent history of the War for Independence would have been very different. The junction of St. Leger and Burgoyne would probably have given a different issue to the battle of Saratoga which is considered one of the decisive battles of the world, and it is possible that as a consequence the ultimate event of the war would have been different. The situation was therefore extremely critical. *Earlier in the war, Fort Stanwix, which was first built during the French and Indian war, was repaired by Col. Dayton and renamed Fort Schuyler in honor of Gen. Philip Schuyler; and it is sometimes called by the latter name in the records of the period. This is confusing, however, as there was already a Fort Schuyler at Utica named after Peter Schuyler. The latter is sometimes distinguished as Old Fort Schuyler. To add to the gravity of the situation, Col. Gansevoort, who commanded Fort Stanwix, had but 750 men with which to oppose St. Leger's 2,000 British troops and Indians, and the few scattered settlements of the Mohawk Valley could supply only a few more fighters in the emergency, for the reason that most of the men of military age were already serving in one army or the other, and there were only enough men at home to attend to the living necessities of family existence and to protect the homes from the occasional raids of the Indians. Herkimer, realizing the vital necessity for relieving Fort Stanwix, on July 17, 1777, issued the following proclamation: "Whereas, it appears certain that the enemy, of about 2,000 strong, Christians and savages, are arriving at Oswego with the intention to invade our frontiers, I think it proper and most neces sary for the defense of our country, and it shall be ordered by me as the enemy approaches that every male person being in health from 16 to 60 years of age, in this our country, shall, as in duty bound, repair immediately, with arms and accoutrements 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 defense of their country. And those that are above 60 years or really unwell, and incapable to march, shall then assemble, also armed, at their respective places, where women and children will be gathered together, in order for defense 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 requires every friend to the country in general, but of this country in particular, to show his zeal and well affected spirit in actual defense of the same, all the members of the committee as well as those who, by 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 to join to repulse 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 cannot fail on our side." As soon as it was learned that St. Leger had started from Oswego for the Mohawk, Herkimer ordered the militia and his recruits to rendezvous at Fort Dayton, then called German Flats. now in the village of Herkimer. On August 3, 1777, he started from his homestead following the road on the south side of the river to Fort Herkimer near which he crossed to Fort Dayton on the north side. Here he found about 800 men assembled. On August 4, having assumed command of the little army, he began his famous march. Marching westward on the north side of the river, the troops made their camp on the night of August 4 about half way between the mouth of Staring Creek and Old Fort Schuyler (Utica.) On the morning of the 5th the march was resumed, and when nearly opposite Old Fort Schuyler the greater part of the men and wagon train containing supplies for the relief of Fort Stanwix turned southward, forded the river, and continued westward on the south side of the Mohawk. On the night of the 5th the army encamped for a distance of two miles between Sauquoit Creek and Oriskany Creek, the rear resting at what is now Whitestown. Just west of Oriskany Creek was the Indian village of Oriska and a short distance beyond that the scene of the battle on August 6 known as the battle of Oriskany. (See plate 59.) On the morning of the 6th, the march was resumed, and about ten o'clock the little army found itself in the midst of an ambuscade from which bullets and arrows came from every side. The Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, in his account of the battle says: "Where the forests were thick, where the rude roadway ran down into the marsh, and the ravine crossed like a pocket, Herkimer pressed his way. Not in soldierly order, not watching against the enemy, but in rough haste, the eight hundred marched. They reached the ravine at ten in the morning. The advance had gained the higher ground. Then as so often, the woods became alive. Black eyes flashed from behind every tree. Rifles blazed from a thousand unexpected coverts. The Indians rushed out hatchet in hand, decked in paint and feathers. The brave band was checked. It was cut in two. The assailants aimed first of all to seize the supply train. Colonel Visscher, who commanded its rear guard, showed his courage before and after and doubtless. fought well here, as the best informed descendants of other heroes of the battle believe. But his regiment, driven northward toward the river, was cut up or in great part captured with the supplies and ammunition. "In the ravine and just west of it, Herkimer rallied those who stood with him. Back to back, shoulder to shoulder, they faced |