Their Actions Affect Me Three Centuries Later

Spent two nights at Lock 22...just downstream from Rome, NY.  Lots of great historical events occurred along the Mohawk...Ft Stanwix and Oriskany Battlefields.  These were not numerically large battles but the outcome drove a stake in the Brits plans to split the colonies along the Hudson...leading to his defeat at Saratogo.   Brits tried to capture the fort by starving it into surrender.  Continental forces accompanied by Oenieda Indian came to the rescue and were met by Brit and other native Indian allies. The Continentals were ambushed and decimated in a narrow ravine near a village of Oriskany.  Though a tragic loss for the continentals, the native tribes supporting the British were demoralized and abandoned the Brits when they discovered their camp ravished by militia from the fort.  The brit allied natives withdrew forcing the British to abandon their efforts to capture the fort and retreat.

Couldn't help but ponder the significance of this small band of militia to my life and the fear they must have experience caught in a trap.  It gave meaning to our annual day of remembrance for those who gave their lives for future generations. 

Though I may benefit, so many suffered during this war.  Neighbors loyal to the crown were pitted against anti British neighbors and the local native confederacy that for centuries lived in peace, was torn apart as different tribes got caught up in this white man's war.  This led to more and more confiscation of native lands. 

We ended our day with a tour of the Saranac Brewery which, sadly was closed for tours that day.  But they placated us with a few coupons for free beverages...which we grately enjoyed, lager, IPAs and ginger beer!










Comments

  1. art3June 10, 2019 at 4:08 PM

    enjoyed your phort photos...
    and the sentry photo is priceless!

    ReplyDelete

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