Attack on German Flatts (1757) facts for kids

On November 12, 1757, a group of French and Native American warriors launched an attack on a settlement called German Flatts. This event happened during the French and Indian War, a big conflict between Great Britain and France. German Flatts was located on the north side of the Mohawk River in what was then the British Province of New York.

The people living in German Flatts were Palatine German refugees and their families. They had come to America seeking a new home. During the attack, their settlement was destroyed. Many men, women, and children were captured and taken away. Today, this area is known as Herkimer, New York.

Why the Attack Happened: The Background

The year 1757 had been good for New France, which was the French territory in North America. The British had failed in their plan to capture Louisbourg. Also, the French and their Native American allies had won a big victory at the Battle of Fort William Henry.

The governor of New France, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, had tried to get German settlers in the Mohawk River valley to support the French. But the Germans did not help the French during the attack on Fort William Henry in August. Because of this, Governor Vaudreuil decided to send a special group to punish them. He chose to attack German Flatts. This settlement was west of Little Falls, on the north side of the Mohawk River. (Remember, this is where modern-day Herkimer, New York, is, not the current German Flatts on the south side of the river.)

Vaudreuil put together a force of about 300 fighters. They were led by François-Marie Picoté de Belestre, a very skilled commander. On October 20, this group left Lachine (in Canada). They traveled along the Saint Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Then they went up the Oswego River, which was a place where the French had won a battle in 1756. From there, they crossed a path called the Oneida Carry to reach the Mohawk River. They then traveled down the river to German Flatts, arriving on November 11.

At that time, German Flatts had about 60 homes and 300 settlers. It also had five strong, small forts called blockhouses. Even though friendly Oneida Native Americans had warned the settlers about the coming attack, the people of German Flatts had not prepared their defenses.

The Attack on German Flatts

On November 12, 1757, around 3 AM, Belestre's force launched their attack. They came from the hills north of the village. The five blockhouses quickly gave up because the French and Native American force was much stronger.

About 40 people were killed or drowned during the attack. All the buildings in the settlement were destroyed. More than 150 people were captured, including men, women, and children. Among those captured were the village mayor, the surgeon, and some military officers. These prisoners were taken back to Montreal.

Some of the villagers managed to escape. They fled across the Mohawk River to Fort Herkimer to find safety. The commander at Fort Herkimer sent out 50 of his men. But they quickly went back to the fort after a short fight with Belestre's group. The next day, Belestre left German Flatts. His canoes were full of prisoners and stolen goods. He arrived back in Montreal on November 20.

What Happened Next: Aftermath

News of the attack reached Schenectady the day after it happened. General George Howe quickly traveled up the river with his soldiers, the 42nd Regiment. However, when they arrived, they found only the smoking ruins of German Flatts.

Most of the people who were captured were later traded for British prisoners. Slowly, the German residents returned to the area. They rebuilt their settlement. Years later, during the American Revolutionary War, German Flatts was attacked again in 1778. That attack also caused many deaths and destroyed crops. Fighting in the Mohawk Valley was very intense during those war years.