The Oneidas, together with the other tribes…
August 1777 CE
The Oneidas, together with the other tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, had initially maintained a policy of neutrality in the American Revolution, which had allowed the Confederacy increased leverage against both sides in the war, because they could threaten to join one side or the other in the event of any provocation.
Neutrality had quickly crumbled, however.
The preponderance of the Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas, and Onondagas have sided with the loyalists.
The Oneidas had continued advocating neutrality for some time and attempted to restore consensus among the six tribes of the Confederacy, but ultimately the Oneidas had to choose a side.
Most Oneidas, because of their closer proximity to rebel communities, favor the colonists (in contrast, the pro-British tribes are closer to the British stronghold at Fort Niagara).
In addition, the Oneidas are influenced by the Protestant missionary Samuel Kirkland, who had spent several decades among them and through whom they had begun to form stronger cultural links to the colonists.
The Oneidas officially join the rebel side and contribute in many ways to the war effort.
Their warriors are often used as scouts on both offensive campaigns and in detecting enemy operations around Fort Stanwix (also known as Fort Schuyler).
The Oneidas also provide an open line of communication between the rebels and their Iroquois foes.
About fifty Oneida fight alongside the American militia when the fort is besieged on August 3, 1777, at the Battle of Oriskany, by British forces under the command of Brigadier General Barry St. Leger as part of a three-pronged attack to split American power in New York State.
The siege had commenced after the fort commander, Colonel Peter Gansevoort, had refused the terms of surrender offered by the British.
An American relief column, commanded by General Nicholas Herkimer, is ambushed by Tories and their native allies.
While many of the besiegers are attending to that battle, the defenders of the fort sally forth and attack the enemy camp, looting and destroying enemy stores.
The British, demoralized and reduced in strength, withdraw when they hear reports of the approach of yet another relief column, led by General Benedict Arnold.
The British forces withdraw through Canada and join General John Burgoyne's campaign at Fort Ticonderoga.
The British failure to capture the fort and proceed down the Mohawk Valley is a severe setback and will help lead to the defeat of Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.