Battle+of+Oriskany

= The Battle of Oriskany = Frank Dolce ==The [|battle of Oriskany] was fought 6 miles outside the Fort Stanwix. A group of patriots were headed to defend Fort Stanwix which the British were attacking. The battle of Oriskany is known to be one of the bloodiest battles of the entire American Revolution. A group of 800 militia and a party of [|Oneida Indians] were being led under General Herkimer's command were headed towards the fort to relieve the siege on it. On the loyalist side were British Soldiers, a [|Hanau Jager], and a group of allied Indians of the Six Nations led under the command of Sir John Johnson. The group who were commanded to intercept the Patriots totaled 450 [|men].== ==On the morning of the battle Herkeimer sent out 3 scouts through the British lines outside Fort Stanwix. Herkeimer wanted to keep his troops there to wait and coordinate the [|attack] with the fort. Despite Herkimer's orders, the inexperienced militia grew impatient and started to march. They had to cross a swamp in order to advance. The swamp had a log path only three feet wide that all of Herkimer's men had to cross. About 50 ft into the marsh Johnson's troops waited behind a hill, while 400 Iriquois waited behind trees with [|tomahawks] and muskets. In the first volley of fire Herkimer was shot up the leg. Even though he was shot, he still commanded the battle and troop movements while propped up against his saddle on a tree.== ==The indians also took out almost all of the officers of each batallion instantly. Their war tactics gave them a better advantage in this battle. The indians were slaughtering the patriots until Herkimer ordered his men to fight in pairs. This way soliers could cover each other when [|reloading]. The patriots fought back bravely and spread out through woods [|bayonetting] British and Mohawks. A heavy rainstorm stopped the battle temporarily and each side regrouped. The British came back with more [|Green]Infantry who now wore green coats cloaking them from the officers eyes. The patriots spotted them and dispatched them brutally. Eventually the British and Six Nation Indians became fatigued and tired. The British retreated upon seeing their Indian allies retreat. Although the British retreated, it is not clear who won. The patriots lost a lot of troops in the battle, totaling 200 dead. It is reported that half of his men did not leave the battlefield due to injury or death. Despite the heavy number of losses the patriots still managed to drive off the British back. Although both claim victory, in actuality there was no winner.==

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