Philip Schuyler Orders an Attack on the Onondagas, 1779
Philip Schuyler's signature, 1776. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
During the Revolution, American Indian tribes were divided in their loyalties between the British and the Americans. On the frontier of Pennsylvania and New York, Native Americans generally sided with the British and attacked American settlements. In early 1779, George Washington ordered an attack on the Onondagas to try to force them to make peace with the United States. In this letter, General Philip Schuyler instructs Colonel Goose Van Schaick to burn the Onondaga villages, destroy the cattle, and take prisoners. He warns Schaick to avoid killing the men or assaulting the women.
Orders from Philip John Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779
Albany April 7:th 1779
Sir
His Excellency the Commander In Chief having approved that an Enterprize Should be prosecuted against the Ononondaga Indians you are to take the Command of the troops destined for this Service they will be Comprised of detachments from the following Corps
Van Schacchs
Gen woods
&c
amounting in all to 500 men Exclusive of officers
Such of these troops as are not already at Fort Schuyler have orders to rendezvous at that place without delay, you will therefore repair to that Fortress with all possible dispatch, and as I have ordered thirty batteaux to be sent up there without delay . . .
Five days provision will in all probability be Sufficient to bring with the detachment from the place of Debarkation, this should be dressed and I wish you to begin your land march in the Evening for the Greater Chance of surprizing the Enemy before day next Morning—
. . . It is my Intention that as many prisoners should be made as possible You will therefore put none to death whom you can make prisoners of and you will give pointed orders for this purpose. — You will burn all the buildings and destroy all such Cattle & Effects as you cannot with out retarding your return bring off with you.—
. . . Barbarous as the Savages are they never violate the Chastity of any women taken prisoners, altho I have very little apprehension that any of Soldiers will so far forget their Character as to attempt such a crime on the Indian women which may fall into their hands, Yet it will be well to take Measures to prevent such a stain to our Army.
. . . You will take Care to Supply the troops Intended for the Expedition with what Ammunition may be necessary
Wishing you Success and an Acquisition of much reputation I am
Source: Philip J. Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
batteaux - a light, flat-bottomed boat
barbarous - extremely brutal
chastity - purity, chasteness
Letter from Philip John Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779
Albany April 7:th 1779
Sir
His Excellency the Commander In Chief having approved that an Enterprize Should be prosecuted against the Ononondaga Indians you are to take the Command of the troops destined for this Service they will be Comprised of detachments from the following Corps
Van Schacchs
Gen woods
&c
amounting in all to 500 men Exclusive of officers
Such of these troops as are not already at Fort Schuyler have orders to rendezvous at that place without delay, you will therefore repair to that Fortress with all possible dispatch, and as I have ordered thirty batteaux to be sent up there without delay . . .
Five days provision will in all probability be Sufficient to bring with the detachment from the place of Debarkation, this should be dressed and I wish you to begin your land march in the Evening for the Greater Chance of surprizing the Enemy before day next Morning—
. . . It is my Intention that as many prisoners should be made as possible You will therefore put none to death whom you can make prisoners of and you will give pointed orders for this purpose. — You will burn all the buildings and destroy all such Cattle & Effects as you cannot with out retarding your return bring off with you.—
. . . Barbarous as the Savages are they never violate the Chastity of any women taken prisoners, altho I have very little apprehension that any of Soldiers will so far forget their Character as to attempt such a crime on the Indian women which may fall into their hands, Yet it will be well to take Measures to prevent such a stain to our Army.
. . . You will take Care to Supply the troops Intended for the Expedition with what Ammunition may be necessary
Wishing you Success and an Acquisition of much reputation I am
Document Source: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
batteaux – a light, flat-bottomed boat
barbarous – extremely brutal
chastity – avoidance of sexual intercourse
Background
During the Revolution, American Indian tribes were divided in their loyalties between the British and the Americans. On the frontier of Pennsylvania and New York, Native Americans generally sided with the British and attacked American settlements. In early 1779, George Washington ordered an attack on the Onondagas to try to force them to make peace with the United States. In this letter, General Philip Schuyler instructs Colonel Goose Van Schaick to burn the Onondaga villages, destroy the cattle, and take prisoners. He warns Schaick to avoid killing the men or assaulting the women.
Transcript
Orders from Philip John Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779
Albany April 7:th 1779
Sir
His Excellency the Commander In Chief having approved that an Enterprize Should be prosecuted against the Ononondaga Indians you are to take the Command of the troops destined for this Service they will be Comprised of detachments from the following Corps
Van Schacchs
Gen woods
&c
amounting in all to 500 men Exclusive of officers
Such of these troops as are not already at Fort Schuyler have orders to rendezvous at that place without delay, you will therefore repair to that Fortress with all possible dispatch, and as I have ordered thirty batteaux to be sent up there without delay . . .
Five days provision will in all probability be Sufficient to bring with the detachment from the place of Debarkation, this should be dressed and I wish you to begin your land march in the Evening for the Greater Chance of surprizing the Enemy before day next Morning—
. . . It is my Intention that as many prisoners should be made as possible You will therefore put none to death whom you can make prisoners of and you will give pointed orders for this purpose. — You will burn all the buildings and destroy all such Cattle & Effects as you cannot with out retarding your return bring off with you.—
. . . Barbarous as the Savages are they never violate the Chastity of any women taken prisoners, altho I have very little apprehension that any of Soldiers will so far forget their Character as to attempt such a crime on the Indian women which may fall into their hands, Yet it will be well to take Measures to prevent such a stain to our Army.
. . . You will take Care to Supply the troops Intended for the Expedition with what Ammunition may be necessary
Wishing you Success and an Acquisition of much reputation I am
Source: Philip J. Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
batteaux - a light, flat-bottomed boat
barbarous - extremely brutal
chastity - purity, chasteness
Excerpt
Letter from Philip John Schuyler to Goose Van Schaick, April 7, 1779
Albany April 7:th 1779
Sir
His Excellency the Commander In Chief having approved that an Enterprize Should be prosecuted against the Ononondaga Indians you are to take the Command of the troops destined for this Service they will be Comprised of detachments from the following Corps
Van Schacchs
Gen woods
&c
amounting in all to 500 men Exclusive of officers
Such of these troops as are not already at Fort Schuyler have orders to rendezvous at that place without delay, you will therefore repair to that Fortress with all possible dispatch, and as I have ordered thirty batteaux to be sent up there without delay . . .
Five days provision will in all probability be Sufficient to bring with the detachment from the place of Debarkation, this should be dressed and I wish you to begin your land march in the Evening for the Greater Chance of surprizing the Enemy before day next Morning—
. . . It is my Intention that as many prisoners should be made as possible You will therefore put none to death whom you can make prisoners of and you will give pointed orders for this purpose. — You will burn all the buildings and destroy all such Cattle & Effects as you cannot with out retarding your return bring off with you.—
. . . Barbarous as the Savages are they never violate the Chastity of any women taken prisoners, altho I have very little apprehension that any of Soldiers will so far forget their Character as to attempt such a crime on the Indian women which may fall into their hands, Yet it will be well to take Measures to prevent such a stain to our Army.
. . . You will take Care to Supply the troops Intended for the Expedition with what Ammunition may be necessary
Wishing you Success and an Acquisition of much reputation I am
Document Source: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
batteaux – a light, flat-bottomed boat
barbarous – extremely brutal
chastity – avoidance of sexual intercourse
