The British forces had arrived in the Wyoming Valley on June 30, having alerted the settlers to their approach by killing three men working at an unprotected gristmill on June 28.

The next day Colonel Butler had sent a surrender demand to the militia at Wintermute's (Wintermoot) fort.

Terms have been arranged that the defenders, after surrendering the fort with all their arms and stores, will be released on the condition that they not again bear arms during the war.

On July 3, however, the British see that the defenders are gathering in great numbers outside of Forty Fort.

William Caldwell is engaged in destroying Jenkin's fort, and with the American militia a mile away, Butler organizes an ambush.

He orders Fort Wintermute set on fire, and the Patriots, believing it signifies a British retreat, advance rapidly.

Butler tells the Seneca to lie flat on the ground so as not to be seen.

The militia advance to within a hundred yards of the British rangers and fire three volleys at them.

The Seneca rise to their feet, fire one time, then charge the militia to engage in hand to hand combat.

Accounts indicate the battle lasted about forty-five minutes.

An order to reform the Patriot line instead turns into a frantic rout as the inexperienced militiamen panic and begin to run.

Only about sixty Patriots escape.

The victorious Loyalists and Iroquois kill almost all who are captured, and only five prisoners are taken alive.

Butler reports that two hundred and twenty-seven scalps have been taken by his Native American allies.