The 1779 Invasion of Iroquoia: Scorched Earth as Described by Continental Soldiers

Six indigenous nations in upstate New York—the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora—were joined in an alliance for mutual protection. Known as the Haudenosaunee, which means people of the longhouse, or the misnomer Iroquois, at the beginning of the American Revolution they assured the upstart patriots that they would adopt a neutral stance and not get involved in this white man’s quarrel between Great Britian and its rebellious colonies The British nonetheless successfully wooed and won Seneca and Mohawk warriors over to their side while the Oneida and Tuscarora allied themselves with the Americans. Onondaga remained neutral. The Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777, marked the beginning of a civil war within the confederation. In 1778 British forces and their native allies created havoc on the frontier, raiding settlements in New York at Cobleskill, German Flatts, and Cherry Valley, and in Pennsylvania at Wyoming Valley.[1]

In reaction, George Washington ordered a scorched earth campaign through Iroquoia to punish the Haudenosaunee and put an end to their attacks. Several participants kept journals vividly describing the campaign’s ravages. In the passages below, some punctuation and spelling has been adjusted for readability.

General George Washington to Major General John Sullivan:

The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the six nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more . . . you will not by any means listen to overture of peace before the total ruin of their settlements is effected.[2]

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August 13, Chemung

Ens. Daniel Gookin:

General Sullivan hearing that part of the enemy lie at Chemung gave orders for the whole army’s moving which we did soon as ever it was dark last night, marching all night arriving at Chemung at daylight but the enemy had just moved out of the town which we set on fire, destroyed large fields of their corn, beans, potatoes, squashes, water mellons & c, they plant with as much exactness as any farmer.[3]

Lt. John L. Hardenbergh:

A small party of the Indians who had concealed themselves in the wood, fired on a small party of General Hand’s Brigade, killed six men and wounded two, without loss on their side. A party of General Poor’s Brigade was destroying corn, were fired upon by the enemy, killed one and wounded one.[4]

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

this village was beautiful; it contained fifty or sixty houses, built of logs and frames, and situated on the banks of the Tioga branch. [5]

Thomas Grant:

Entered Chemung Town, which the Enemy has Just left with Precipitation leaving behind them a Quantity of stripped Linning deer Skins, Bear Skins, Kettles, plates, Knives, Ladles, and a number of articles of Various kinds, which the Soldiers soon maid themselves masters of, and Fire set to the Town, which consisted of neer 100 houses, Great and small.

Orders was given. . .to cut down the Corn on the opposite side of the river, which they did to the amount of 15 to 20 acres, amongst which was Cucumbers, Water Millions, pumpkins, Squashes, and Beans.[6]

Rev. William Rodgers:

Several Indian curiosities were picked up by the soldiery and some of the officers, such as painted scalps.[7]

August 14

Lt. Erkuries Beatty:

This town [Ononquaqa] was one of the Neatest of the Indian towns . . . with good log homes with Stone Chimneys and glass windows it likewise had a Church and burying ground and a great number of apple trees.[8]

August 15

Lt. John Jenkins:

A small party of Indians came near the camp . . . and killed three men, scalped young Elliot and wounded another, and another . . . was missing.[9]

August 24

Lt. Erkuries Beatty:

went today to see an old Indian burying ground . . . there was about 100 graves some of which our men had Dug up.[10]

August 26

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

Encamped in the most beautiful piece of land seen in the country. . .Here was an immense quantity of corn, some of whose stalks measured fifteen feet. Beans and squashes were in abundance,[11]

Lt. William Barton:

This day we received information that Col. Brodhead. . .had destroyed almost one whole tribe of Indians by stratagem; he painted his men like Indians, with cutting their hair &c.[12]

August 27

Sgt. Moses Fellows:

we marched, much impeded by the artillery and ammunition . . . Such cursing . . . is not to be seen every day. At 10 o’clock we arrived at a large place of corn containing about 80 acres as good as I ever beheld with great quantities of squashes and beans . . . Having all the corn to cut down this afternoon we did not march again till 2 o’clock . . . Encamped at Chemung. By a small scout of ours that came in the afternoon we are informed that a large encampment of the enemy about 4 miles from Chemung. A small party of them fired on a party of ours that was setting fire to some houses.[13]

Maj. John Burrows:

The sight of Carriages in this part of the world is very odd, as there is nothing but a foot path. We got this night at a large flat three miles distant from Chemung where corn grows such as cannot be equaled in Jersey. The field contains about 100 acres, beans, cucumbers, Simblems, water-melons and pumpkins in such quantities . . . [it] would be almost incredible to a civilized people.[14]

August 29—The Battle of Newtown

Ens. Daniel Gookin:

marched at 9 o’clock about 4 miles where our advanced party discovered the enemy’s breastwork which they seemed determined to defend, upon this we formed ourselves and waited for the rear to come up, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon we were ordered . . . to gain the rear of the enemy. Just as we began our march the cannon began to play on the enemy’s line which drove them from the breastwork before we had time to gain their rear—they took possession of a high mountain which we immediately attacked and gained the summit of.[15]

Sgt. Moses Fellows:

We soon began to ascend the mountain where we were soon saluted by a brisk fire and an Indian yell or war hoop, the Riflemen kept up a scattering firing which we formed the line of battle, then we advanced with fixed bayonets without firing a shot although they kept up a steady fire upon the whole of the way up the hill, which is about half a mile. . .then enemy finding themselves so severely handled quit the field . . . Before the action became serious with us the artillery began a very heavy fire which obliged them to retire . . . Enemy to leave a great part of their packs &c.[16]

Lt. William Barton:

some shells and round shot were thrown at their works, which caused them to give several yells, and doubtless intimidated them much . . . they gave a most hideous yell and quit their works . . . leaving their dead behind . . . which were scalped immediately.[17]

Lt. John Jenkins:

Soon after our canon began to play upon them, they ran off and left their breastworks, in the most precipitous manner, leaving their packs, blankets, tomahawks, spears &c. behind them . . . In this engagement we lost in killed five men and thirty-four were wounded . . . Poor’s party took 12 Indian scalps.[18]

Maj. James Norris:

The prisoners inform us that their loss in killed and wounded was very great, the most of which according to custom they carried off.[19]

August 30

Ens. Daniel Gookin:

Monday did not march . . . here were large fields of corn and beans which our people destroyed, In the engagement yesterday one Tory was taken and one negro. They gave an account that both Butler and Brant were at this post, they had with them 1 sergeant, 1 corporal and 12 regular soldiers, 600 Indians and 200 Tories . . . Our men found considerable plunder buried in the ground. [20]

Sgt. Thomas Roberts:

this morning some of our troops went in the woods searching for plunder and found four Indians and scalped them and brought them into camp . . . besides a great deal of plunder of all kinds.[21]

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

Went over the field of battle to view the slain. No army can have higher spirits than ours while our enemy are fleeing from their country.[22]

Maj. John Burrows:

The land exceeds any I have ever seen, some corn stalks measure eighteen feet, and a cob one foot and a half long.[23]

Lt. William Barton:

sent out a small party to look for some of the dead Indians . . . Toward noon they found them and skinned two from the hips down for boot legs; one pair for the Major and the other for myself.[24]

August 31

Sgt. Moses Fellows:

we proceeded 9 miles to where there was a very pritty town called Kannawahalla which from appearance was abandoned this morning. Some boats was seen going by our advance guard . . . our soldiers found several chests buried household furniture and other things . . . a detachment of our army pursued the enemy up the Allegany river about 9 miles; could not overtake them but found and destroyed several large cornfields.[25]

September 1—2, French Catherines Town

Sgt. Moses Fellows:

our advance guard arrived at a town called French Catherine at dusk, found fires burning and every appearance of the enemy having left the place but a few minutes . . . this town contains about 30 houses some of which were very good for Indian houses, there is a number of fruit trees in the town.[26]

Maj. John Burrows:

One of the soldiers found . . . an old squaw in a bunch of bushes, she being not able to go off with them, and hid there to be safe. The poor old creature was just ready to die with fear, thinking she was to be killed. She informed the General there was a great debate between the warriors, their squaws and children. The squaws had a mind to stay at home with their children . . . There are a number of peach, apple and plum trees at this place.[27]

Ens. Daniel Gookin:

One Indian squaw left on this ground, she was so old they could not carry her off. Genl. Sullivan gave her a pardon—she gives an account that the warriors went out from here as our advanced party entered—they had a council of war where in the squaws were for throwing themselves on our mercy but the sannops would not consent.[28]

September 5 – Kandaia

Lt. John Jenkins:

Arrived at Candala at 2 o’clock, which place the enemy had left some days before . . . a party of our riflemen found Luke Sweltland, who was taken by the Indians near Nanticoke in August 1778, and brought to their town and given to an old squaw who kept him as her son, and he fared as well as the rest of the family. He informed us that Butler left this place the Thursday before, with the whole of his army of 700 or 800 men—about 300 Tories and 500 Indians . . . and that a number of our old neighbors were down to fight against us, who looked very much ashamed when they returned from Newtown, where we defeated them. This day we destroyed the cornfields, pulled down and burnt the houses.[29]

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

arrived at Kinala or Appleton at 2 o’clock. The village has twenty houses and eighty large apple trees, but only six families have lived here since the destruction of Onondaga. From a captive whom we retook at this place, we learned that the enemy was in great confusion after the action at Newtown . . . some were for revenge, but the more timid and prudent of them were for escaping with their little ones.[30]

Ens. Daniel Gookin:

marched to [Kandaia] 6 miles and encamped; this is an old settled place, a number of 200 apple trees and peach trees plenty—the houses here look quite comfortable, there are two tombs where their Indian chiefs were buried—here one of our men that was taken at Wyoming a twelve month ago made his escape from them and came to us, informs us that Butler is for fighting again but the Tories say its only throwing their lives away for no purpose . . . cut down their apple trees.[31]

September 7—Conadasego

Dr. Jabez Campfield:

It was expected they would make a great stand at this place . . . It is difficult to account for the conduct of the Indians, who quit their towns, and suffer us to destroy them . . . without offering to interrupt us.[32]

Lt. John Jenkins:

Arrived a 6 o’clock in the evening at Canadasago, the capital of the Seneca country, which we found evacuated and left by the enemy. This is a very beautiful town . . . It contains about 60 houses and was surrounded with apple and peach trees.[33]

Lt. Samuel M. Shute:

Marched . . . to Canadasego . . . found a considerable number of deer and bear skins & a white male child whom they had taken at Wyoming . . . It talked the Mohawk and Seneca language.[34]

Capt. Daniel Livermore:

Here we found a young boy the savages have left, and in the evening his mother comes in, having deserted the enemy this day. She was an inhabitant of Wyoming, taken about a year ago at the capitulation of the fort at that place—her husband being killed at the battle of Wyoming. Here is a large burying place, with several large monuments raised over some of their chiefs. The enemy left this place the morning of our arrival.[35]

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

The land between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes appears good, level, and well-timbered; affording a sufficiency for twenty elegant townships, which in process of time will doubtless add to the importance of America . . .

Whether the God of nature ever designed that so noble part of his creation remain uncultivated, in consequence of a unprincipled and brutal part of it, is one of those arcana, yet hidden from human intelligence. However, had I any influence in the councils of America, I should not think it an affront to the Divine will, to lay some effectual plan, either to civilize or totally extirpate the race. Counting on their friendship, is not only a disagreeable task, but impracticable; and if obtained is of no longer duration than while we are in prosperity and the rod threatens their destruction. To starve them is equally impracticable for they feed on air and drink the morning dew.[36]

September 9

Maj. John Burrows:

There was a party of men sent last night to a town called Cashong . . . I was told it was the best town we had seen yet. The houses new and built very neat and appeared that they were whites that lived there . . . The houses were all shut, and when they broke them open, on the inside of a number of doors was written “He who destroys this house his offspring shall suffer for it.”[37]

Lt. John Jenkins:

Major Parr, returned to the army this evening, and reported that he had destroyed a large quantity of corn and other vegetables, and burned 20 houses, at Shenawaga, where the enemy had hogs, fowl, apples, peaches &c.[38]

September 10, Kanandaigua

Thomas Grant:

came to Anandague, a large Indian town, the buildings superior to any we have yet seen. The town was soon laid in ashes.[39]

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

came to Kanadalaugua, a beautifully situated town, containing between twenty and thirty houses, well finished, chiefly of hewn plank, which we immediately burned . . . In this town a dog was hung up, with a string of wampum around his neck, on a tree, curiously decorated and trimmed. On inquiry, I was informed that it was custom among the savages before they went to war to offer this as a sacrifice to Mars, the God of War, and praying that he might strengthen them. In return for those favors, they promise to present him with the skin for a tobacco pouch.[40]

September 12

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

Lieutenant Boyd of the Rifle Corps, some volunteers, and as many riflemen, made up six and twenty is the whole, were sent up to reconnoiter the town of Jennise, having for their guide an Oneida Indian, named Hanyost, a chief of that tribe, who has been remarkable for his attachment to this country, having served as a volunteer since the commencement of the war. [41]

September 13

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

Four men of Lieutenant Boyd’s party returned . . . Lieutenant Boyd having retired from the town of Gagshuqullahery to wait for the arrival of the main army, which was detained longer than he expected, he sent back two men to know the cause; these two men had not gone far before they discovered a few Indians ahead. They then retired and informed Lieutenant Boyd who immediately, with his party, gave chase and followed them . . . where a body of savages, of at least four or five hundred, lay concealed.

The Indians killed . . . and tomahawked six . . . Nine of the party have got safe in; but Lieutenant Boyd and Hanjost with seven others, are still yet missing, one of whom we know is a prisoner, as one Murphy, a rifleman of the party, who made his escape, saw him in their possession. This Murphy is a noted marksman, and a great soldier, he having killed and scalped that morning . . . an Indian, which makes the three and thirtieth man of the enemy he has killed . . . this war.[42]

Lt. Rudolphus Van Hovenburgh:

We made all the expedition we could to reinforce him [Boyd] but they completed their work before we could come to his assistance. The Riflemen overtook them, the cowards run off and left all their baggage on the ground and never stood to exchange a shot with our brave soldiers.[43]

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

The army then marched to the castle called Gohseolahulee (which signifies spear laid up) of about twenty houses . . . Here appeared the heathenish custom of offering sacrifices. Two dogs were found suspended on a pole, which signified that evil spirit was to be pacified by their skins, which would serve to make him a tobacco pouch and waistcoat.[44]

September 14-15—Chenessee

Lt. Rudolphus Van Hovenburgh:

March for the upper Junisie Castle. Lieut. Boyd and the Sergeant who were taken the day before were most cruelly butchered . . . his head skinned, his nails pulled out by the roots, his head cut off from his body, his private parts skinned, his body speared most inhumanely. A woman who was prisoner among them came in to us who informed us that the squaws did not like to leave this place and persuaded the warriors to make peace with us but Butler would not hear to that and ordered them to go to Niagara and also says the Indians brought the prisoners to Colonel Butler, but he gave them over to the Indians for satisfaction for the damages we had done to them.[45]

September 15

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

This morning the whole army. . .were engaged in destroying the corn, beans, potatoes and other vegetables, which were in quantity immense, and in goodness unequaled by any I every yet saw . . . there was not less than two hundred acres, the whole of which was pulled up and piled in large heaps, mixed with dry wood, taken from the houses, and consumed to ashes.

Previous to our leaving Jenise, a woman with child came to us, who had been taken prisoner last year near Wyoming, and fortunately made her escapes from the savages. She, with her bantling . . . she informs us . . . that their squaws were fretting prodigiously, and teasing their warriors to make peace . . . that they seem considerably cast down and frightened.[46]

Lt. John L. Hardenbergh:

We set the town on fire, marched off.[47]

Lt. John Jenkins:

this forenoon, Mrs. Lester, who was taken by the Indians last September, came to our camp and brought with her one of her children.[48]

September 16

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

parties were ordered out to reconnoiter the woods, and gather those bodies who fell in the skirmish of the 13th. Fourteen . . . were found, and buried with military honors. The sight was most shocking, as they were all scalped, tomahawked, and inhumanely mangled. Among those unfortunate men were Hanjost, the volunteer Indian, who fared equally with the rest.[49]

September 18—Kanandaigua

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

Marched to Kanadaigue . . . Bluback, the Oneida Indian . . . returned with a young sachem and a warrior . . . the nation congratulated our chief on the success of his arms in this quarter, and begged that Cayuga settlement might be spared for the sake of the few righteous among them; that the corn would greatly alleviate the distresses of the friendly Onondagas, but the matrimonial connections of these tribes rendering the requisition suspicious, it was not granted.[50]

September 20

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

The greater part of the day was employed at head-quarters in holding a council in consequence of the intercession made by some Oneida Indians (our friends) in favour of the Cayuga tribe, who have been fir some time past in an alliance with the Senecas, and acted with them, and are now desirous of making peace with us. The council determined that no treat should be held with them, and a command of five hundred men . . . were immediately detached . . . with orders . . . to destroy their towns, corn, &c, and receive none of them but in the characters of prisoners of war.[51]

Lt. John Jenkins:

Lieut. Gore went on a command with Col. Butler . . . to destroy several towns and the corn belonging to the Cayuga nation, who a few days ago sent a request to the General, to have their crops saved.[52]

September 22

Maj. James Norris:

found a Wigwam, with three Squaws and one young Indian who was a cripple—we took two of the squaws who were about 40 years old.[53]

Thomas Grant:

Marched this day . . . to the Cayuga Castle, an Indian town of that name containing in number about 15 very large square log houses. I think the building superior to any I have seen . . . parties were sent out to destroy the corn, to the amount of about 110 acres . . . two other towns were discovered, one . . . which we called upper Cayuga containing 14 large houses, the other . . . contained 13 houses; the troops were employed this day destroying corn till after dark. We found at this town apples, peaches, potatoes, turnips, onions, pumpkins, squashes, and vegetables of various kinds in great plenty.[54]

September 23

Lt. Col. Adam Hubley:

arrived at Catherin’s town . . . We found at this place the old Indian squaw who was left here on our march up the country. General Sullivan gave her a considerable supply of flour and meat, for which, with tears in her savage eyes, she expressed a great deal of thanks. During our absence from this place a young squaw came and attended on the old one; but some inhuman villain who passed through killed her. What made this crime still more heinous was, because of a manifesto was left with the old squaw positively forbidding any violence or injury should be committed on the women or children of the savages, by virtue of which this young squaw came to this place . . . the offender ought to be severely punished.[55]

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

Dined at Katherinestown, where we found the old squaw just as we had left her. twenty days before, in her bark hut, with a quart of corn by her. It appears that there had been a young squaw with her, whom we found dead forty rods distant; supposed to have been shot by some of our expresses, a few days before. The old one, from her appearance, must have been ninety years old. Such is the enmity of our soldiery against the savages, that they would have readily murdered this helpless, impotent wretch. But the common dictates of humanity, a veneration for old age and a regard for the female world of any age or denomination induced our General to spare her, giving her the choice of going with the army, or remaining in her wigwam with a month’s provisions, and she preferred the latter.[56]

Thomas Grant:

this day the troops were employed in finishing the destruction of the corn and burning the afore mentioned towns . . . Marched 5 miles to an Indian town named Chardot or Peach Town, remarkable for a large peach orchard containing hundred thriving fine peach trees.[57]

September 24

Thomas Grant:

This morning the troops were employed in finishing the destruction of the corn and peach trees. At 10 o’clock fire was set to the town.[58]

September 26

Lt. William Barton:

the detachment under Col. Durban arrived with two squaws . . . They likewise say they found one Indian and one other squaw, the latter so old as to not be able to brought off; the one Indian man young but decrepit to such a degree that he could not walk . . . the Colonel left one house standing for them to stay in, and would not suffer them to be hurt, but some of the soldiers taking an opportunity when not observed set the house on fire, after securing and making the door fast . . . the house was consumed together with the savages.[59]

Lt. John Jenkins:

This day the army lay in camp at Ft. Reed. At 12 o’clock. Col. Dearborn returned to camp from the Cayuga Lake, with 2 squaws he had taken prisoners. He reported that he had destroyed 5 towns on the west side of the lake and a large quantity of corn and other vegetables . . . He also destroyed a fine plantation belonging to Hendrick Markle, a Tory, who fled from the frontier town and settled among the Indians rather than live an honest life among a people he called rebels.[60]

September 28

Maj. Jeremiah Fogg:

Col. Butler and his party arrived from his expedition around the Cayuga. [They] destroyed one hundred houses, five hundred fruit trees, and an immense quantity of corn.[61]

Maj. Gen. John Sullivan to George Washington:

The number of Towns destroyed by this army amounts to 40 besides scattering houses—the quantity of Corn destroyed at a moderate computation must amount to 160,000 Bushls with a vast quantity of vegetables of every kind—Every creek & river has been traced and the whole Country explored in search of Indian settlements, & I am persuaded except one Town situated near the allegany about 57 Miles from Chenessee—there is not a single Town left in the Country of the five nations . . . they would never think of setling again in a country, once subdued, and where, their settlements must ever be in our power . . . there is not at this time even the appearance of an Indian on this side the Chenessee and I believe there is not one on this side Niaga, nor is there any kind of sustenance left for them in this Country.^[62]

 

[1] Dean Snow, The Iroquois (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 1984), 52-76; Barbara Graymont, The Iroquois in the American Revolution (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1972), 80, 107-108, 120-23; 165-189; Brady J Crytzer, “Long House Lost: the Battle of Oriskany and the Iroquois Civil War,” Journal of the American Revolution, July 30, 2020, allthingsliberty.com/2020/07/longhouse-lost-the-battle-of-oriskany-and-the-iroquois-civil-war/.

[2] George Washington to John Sullivan, May 31, 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0661.

[3] Frederick Cook, Journals Of The Military Expedition Of Major General John Sullivan (Auburn: Knapp, Peck, and Thompson, 1887) 105.

[4] Ibid., 125.

[5] Ibid., 151.

[6] Ibid., 130.

[7] Ibid., 262.

[8] Ibid., 23.

[9] Ibid., 171.

[10] Ibid., 26.

[11] Ibid., 94.

[12] Ibid., 7.

[13] Ibid., 87.

[14] Ibid., 44.

[15] Ibid., 105.

[16] Ibid., 87-88.

[17] Ibid., 8.

[18] Ibid., 172.

[19] Ibid., 232.

[20] Ibid., 105-106.

[21] Ibid., 244.

[22] Ibid., 95.

[23] Ibid., 45.

[24] Ibid., 8.

[25] Ibid., 89.

[26] Ibid.

[27] Ibid., 45.

[28] Ibid., 106.

[29] Ibid., 173.

[30] Ibid., 96.

[31] Ibid., 106.

[32] Ibid., 58.

[33] Ibid., 174.

[34] Ibid., 271.

[35] Ibid., 187.

[36] Ibid., 97-98.

[37] Ibid., 47.

[38] Ibid., 174.

[39] Ibid., 141.

[40] Ibid., 161.

[41] Ibid.

[42] Ibid.

[43] Ibid., 280.

[44] Ibid., 99.

[45] Ibid., 281.

[46] Ibid., 163.

[47] Ibid., 133.

[48] Ibid., 175.

[49] Ibid., 163.

[50] Ibid., 99-100.

[51] Ibid., 164.

[52] Ibid., 175.

[53] Ibid., 236.

[54] Ibid., 143.

[55] Ibid., 164.

[56] Ibid., 100.

[57] Ibid., 143.

[58] Ibid.

[59] Ibid., 13.

[60] Ibid., 176.

[61] Ibid., 100.

[62] John Sullivan to George Washington, September 28, 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-22-02-0450.