America Untold:
Forgotten heroes, Forgotten Stories
Scarlet Ingstad
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Welcome back to Revolutionary Voices! An article series that seeks to uplift the stories of heroes and heroines of the American Revolution who aren't quite as well-known as others. This month, I would like to introduce you all to America's first allies--and no, they were not from a foreign nation. In fact, they were some of the original inhabitants of America: The Oneida Nation. Joining the Patriots The Oneida Nation is one of the Six Nations Iroquois (Haudenosaunee), and are the only one of these Nations that openly declared their support for the patriot cause. George Washington stated: "The Oneidas have manifested the strongest Attachment to us throughout this Dispute." The Oneida, throughout the Revolution, provided American forces with troops, scouts, and spies, starting with the Battle of Oriskany (depicted in the above painting by Jon Troiani) in New York in August of 1777. But why did the Oneida choose to side with the Americans when the rest of the Six Nations Iroquois sided with the British? This was partially due to their relationship with a patriot missionary named Samuel Kirkland. However, what solidified the Oneida support of the patriot cause was the proclamation from the British that they intended to cross through Oneida land to attack Fort Schuyler. The Oneida did not consider themselves to be subservient to the British, and they viewed this action as an offense that required a response. The Battle of Oriskany On August 2, 1777, after receiving information regarding an imminent British attack on Fort Schuyler, Tyonajanegen ("Two Kettles Together") rode out on horseback to warn the American forces. Four days later, the Oneida fought alongside the patriot militia to defend Fort Schuyler. The troops were ambushed by the British and their Mohawk allies, but the Oneida forces and patriot militia managed to turn them back. On September 3, 1777, the newspaper Pennsylvania Journal & Weekly Advertiser described the actions of Tyonajanegen, her husband (Han Yerry), and her son (Cornelius), during the battle: "...a friendly Indian, with his wife and son, who distinguished themselves remarkably on that occasion. The Indian killed nine of the enemy, when, having received a ball through his wrist that disabled him from using his gun, fought with his tomahawk. His son killed two and his wife, on horseback, fought by his side with pistols during the whole action." Tyonajanegen helped her husband after he was injured, loaded his pistol, and joined him in the six-hour-long battle. The Battle of Oriskany was one of the bloodiest in the Revolution. Despite their success, American and Oneida forces sustained significant losses, including the loss of an Oneida village due to revenge-looting. This battle also set the stage for the Saratoga campaign. Larry Arnold, chairman of the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield, stated: "In the 1777 campaign, the Oneidas were instrumental. People don't realize the staggering losses the Oneidas sustained during the Revolutionary War." Valley Forge and Barron Hill Following the Saratoga campaign in October of 1777, the Oneida encamped with George Washington's troops at Valley Forge. Oneida leaders dined with Washington, who gave each of them a leather belt in gratitude for their assistance. Not only did the Oneida bring troops to Valley Forge, they also brought food. Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman, gave white corn to the troops and showed them how to cook it. She spent the rest of the winter at Valley Forge, serving as Washington's cook. Despite these life-saving contributions to the American forces, the Oneida refused to accept payment for their services. During this time, the Oneida also operated as scouts and spies for Washington, patrolling the area of Valley Forge. Shortly after, in May of 1778, Oneida scouts stayed behind during the Battle of Barron Hill to ensure that the Marquis de Lafayette and his troops were able to escape. The Oneida fought alongside the American forces in many skirmishes and battles throughout the Revolution. Ten Oneida soldiers even obtained officers' commissions in the Continental Army, with one rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the War The end of the war could not come soon enough for the Oneida tribe. They lost a significant number of their homes and had very few resources to fall back on. It would not be until 1794 before the American government provided any sort of assistance. The U.S. government later sent five-thousand dollars to the Oneida and Tuscarora who lost homes and property due to their direct support of the American cause. On November 11, 1794, now-President George Washington signed the Treaty of Canandaigua (also known as the Pickering Treaty) between the U.S. government and the American Indian Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Iroquois). This treaty addressed many issues, including government acknowledgement of the lands reserved for the Oneida people and a commitment to boundary lines. It states: "The United States acknowledges the lands reserved to the Oneida...and the United States will never claim the same, nor their Indian friends, residing theoron and united with them, in the free use and enjoyment thereof..." This treaty also marked Congress' official recognition of the sovereignty of the Six Nations Confederacy, and asserted the tribe's authority to oversee their own lands and affairs without government interference. Although it has been debated and challenged since 1794, the treaty still stands to this day. Much of what we understand of Tyonajanegen's life comes from the 19th century historian, Lyman Draper. We know that Tyonajanegen and her husband Han Yerry eventually returned to what was left of their home in in Oriska after the war. Loyalist raiders had looted and destroyed most of their home and farmland following the Battle of Oriskany, leaving Tyonajanegen, Han Yerry, and their children to rebuild. The historical record of Tyonajanegen and her family ends here, aside from Han Yerry's death around 1794 and Tyonajanegen's death in 1822. We can only imagine the struggles the family endured in the years after the Revolution in context of what happened to the rest of their tribe. Battles between the Oneida and the state of New York over their land, alongside divisions within the Six Nations Confederacy due to the different tribes choosing opposite sides of the war, would plague the Oneida and other Native American tribes for years to come. In many ways, the Oneida and other Native American tribes are still recovering from the effects of the American Revolution. The Oneida Nation made significant sacrifices in becoming America's first allies. They are forgotten heroes and heroines of the American Revolution who, alongside their descendants, should be honored, remembered, and respected. Scroll down to learn how you can help the Oneida Nation today! Sources:
- "From George Washington to the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, 13 March 1778," Founders Online, National Archives: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War series, vol 14. - James Kirby Martin. "Forgotten Heroes of the Revolution: Han Yerry and Tyona Doxtader of the Oneida Indian Nation," in Revolutionary Founders: Rebels, Radicals, and Reformers in the Making of the Nation, 203. - Joseph T. Glattharr and James Kirby Martin. Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution (New York: Hill and Wang, 2006): 156-285. - "Oneida," Mount Vernon, George Washington Library. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/oneida/. - "The Revolutionary War: Oneida's Legacy to Freedom," The Oneida Indian Nation. www.oneidaindiannation.com. Want to Learn More? Get Involved: - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Native American women often face substantially higher rates of homicide and assault than other groups of people in America. Visit MMIW sites to learn more about Native American women and how we can all help today. - Research what Native American tribe(s) reside in your particular region, as well as nearby museums and historical sites. Many reservations and historical locations have their own resource groups, volunteer opportunities, and informational programs! Take a History Road Trip: - The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. has several Oneida artifacts, including the 19-foot bronze statue, "Allies in War, Partners in Peace," depicting George Washington, Polly Cooper, and Chief Shenendoah. - The National Archives Museum in D.C. has the original copy of the Treaty of Canandaigua. - The Museum of the American Revolution (MOAR) in Philadelphia has a very strong relationship with the Oneida tribe. One exhibit in their museum depicts Tyonajanegen and Han Yerry, honoring their service in the Battle of Oriskany. In addition to museum exhibits, MOAR actively partners with the Oneida tribe for new virtual and in-person events to educate the public and promote equality initiatives. Books: - Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution by Joseph T. Glattharr and James Kirby Martin - The People of the Standing Stone: The Oneida Nation from the Revolution through the Era of Removal, by Karim Tiro - Rebellious Younger Brother: Oneida Leadership and Diplomacy, 1750-1800, by David Norton Preview of Next Month's Heroines: Did you know that three teenage girls, on three separate occasions, rode on horseback to warn Americans of approaching British forces? All three of these young women also traveled much farther than Paul Revere, and did so without any assistance! Learn more in November's edition of Revolutionary Voices! In Case You Missed It: - Benjamin Tallmadge: America's First Head of Military Intelligence - James Armistead Lafayette: America's First Double-Agent - King's Printer, or Washington's Spy: The Story of James Rivington - Anna Smith Strong: Wife, Mother, Spy, Patriot - From Hungary with Love: An Artist of the Revolution - 18th Century Spy Games for Kids
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Scarlet Ingstad
I am an independent author and historian seeking to uplift the stories of the lesser-known heroes and heroines of the American Revolution, alongside modern-day heroes and heroines who have served in the U.S. military and continue their service through their historical work. Archives
March 2022
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