The Battle of Oriskany Anniversary.
August 6, 2003 is the 226th anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany.

On Aug. 6, 1777, 800 men and boys of the Tryon County Militia, in the Mohawk Valley of New York, along with about 60 allied Oneida warriors were ambushed in the forest by the combined forces of British regulars, Tories and the Mohawk and Seneca warriors of Chief Joseph Brant. The Militia was enroute to Fort Stanwix to assist the garrison there in ending the seige of the fort.

From her home at the Indian Castle, Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant, saw the Militia gathering to leave and sent a runner to her brother. Lt. Col. St. Leger and Brant planned and executed a deadly ambush about 7 miles east of the fort, near the Oneida village of Oriska.

The battle was a brutal, violent, hand-to-hand, neighbor-against-neighbor, fight that lasted for hours. It is said that the little creek in the ravine ran red with blood, with terrible losses on both sides. It ended when Brant's warriors had literally "had enough" and retreated. The British and Tories had no choice but to follow, leaving the field to the Militia.

Of the 860 men who were involved on the Patriot side, there were barely 200 left standing in the end. It has been called one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War. Although they were not able to achieve their goal of relieving the fort, the result of this brave stance by German Palatine farmers and Oneida braves was that the Mohawk Valley was saved from invasion by the Crown forces, and the resulting Battles of Saratoga changed the course of American history.

Each year, a Solemn Commemoration Ceremony is held at the Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site, near Rome in the Mohawk Valley of New York. During the ceremony, public officials, park personnel, representatives of the Oneida Nation, and descendants of all battle participants (whether Loyalist, British, Iroquois or Patriot) gather to honor the fallen heroes of the battle. The ceremony includes verbal tributes, Oneida and English prayers, raising of 3 flags (American, British and Oneida), and laying of wreaths under the great tall monument.

Last year, at the 225th anniversary, it was my priviledge to be able to take part in the ceremony. Descendants were encouraged to take part in the march-in parade, and were also involved in passing the wreaths to the monument. It was an experience I will not soon forget.