Battle of Johnstown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Johnstown
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Marinus Willett, the American commander in the battle
Date October 25, 1781 Location Johnstown, New York Result American victory
Belligerents
United States 2nd Albany County Militia Regiment Tryon County militia	Great Britain 120 King's Royal Regiment of New York 150 Butler's Rangers 100 34th Regiment of Foot 40 Lake's Corp 25 8th Regiment of Foot 12 Jäger Iroquois (130)
Commanders and leaders
Marinus Willett	John Ross Walter Butler†
Strength
416	over 700
Casualties and losses
12 killed 24 wounded 5 captured	11 killed 11 wounded 32 captured

The Battle of Johnstown was one of the last big fights in the northern part of the American Revolutionary War. It happened on October 25, 1781, near Johnstown, New York. About 1,400 soldiers fought in this battle.

British soldiers and their allies, led by Major John Ross and Captain Walter Butler, had been raiding the border areas. American forces, led by Colonel Marinus Willett, stopped their advance. The British then started to retreat north. Willett and his men chased them to German Flatts to try and cut them off. The British got away, but Walter Butler was killed during the chase.

Why Did the Battle of Johnstown Happen?

What Was the Mohawk Valley Like During the War?

The Mohawk Valley in New York was a very dangerous place during the American Revolution. Many fights happened there between different groups. By 1780, raids by British soldiers, hired fighters, Loyalist militia, and their Mohawk allies had caused a lot of damage.

Farmers' crops were destroyed before they could be harvested. Many small towns were abandoned as people tried to find safety from the attacks. Hundreds of buildings were burned down. In 1780 alone, 197 civilians died.

Why Was the Mohawk Valley Important?

These raids also threatened the American supply routes. These routes led to important forts like Fort Plain and Fort Stanwix. The constant attacks also made it harder for the local American militia to fight. Many soldiers had already been lost in battles like the Battle of Oriskany. Others left the valley or deserted.

To deal with these growing threats, New York's Governor, George Clinton, sent Colonel Marinus Willett. Willett's job was to take charge of the militia and organize the valley's defense.

How Did Willett Defend the Valley?

In the spring and summer of 1781, there were many small clashes. On July 9, a Mohawk raiding party attacked Currytown. Willett's men chased them down and defeated them. Another raiding group was forced to retreat after someone warned the local settlers. Willett's militia was good at stopping these smaller attacks.

However, in the fall, a much larger force entered the valley. This group included British soldiers, Loyalists, and Mohawk warriors. There were several hundred of them. On October 24, 1781, they captured Currytown again. This time, they didn't burn it. They wanted to avoid smoke that would warn Willett and his militia.

But two militia scouts discovered the raid. Word quickly spread throughout the area. Before Willett could fully organize his defense, the raiding party attacked more small towns and homes. They burned buildings and killed settlers along their way.

How Did the Battle Unfold?

The Armies Meet at Johnstown

On October 25, 1781, the raiding party reached the village of Johnstown. This group included British soldiers led by Major John Ross. It also had Loyalist militiamen led by Walter Butler and Mohawk warriors.

Colonel Willett had gathered his American patriot militiamen. He was chasing the raiding party. Willett's force caught up with the British at Johnstown in the afternoon. As the two armies got closer, small fights started in and around the village.

Willett's Clever Plan

Willett's army was smaller than the British force. But he had a smart plan. He divided his soldiers. He sent a small group of men around the enemy's side. Their goal was to attack the British from behind.

Willett then led his main group across an open field towards the British. The British pulled back into the edge of a forest. A fierce fight began there. There was only one cannon on the battlefield. It was captured and recaptured many times by both sides.

Suddenly, for some reason, the American militia on Willett's right side turned and ran away in a panic. Willett tried to stop them and get his men to turn around.

The Flanking Attack and British Retreat

Willett was saved by his flanking force. This group attacked the British from behind. They arrived just as the British were about to win because the American right side had collapsed. The battle then broke into many small groups fighting each other.

The British found themselves surrounded. They started to retreat from the area. They headed towards a nearby mountaintop. Both sides had soldiers killed and wounded. However, the British lost more men who were captured than the Americans.

What Happened After the Battle?

The Chase and Butler's Death

For several days after the battle, the British force continued to retreat. They headed towards their boats on Lake Oneida. Willett's militia kept chasing them, even though a snowstorm slowed both armies down.

Willett caught up with the British near West Canada Creek. Another fight broke out there. During this skirmish, Walter Butler, the captain of the Loyalist militia, was killed. Many people who were there or arrived soon after later spoke about what happened.

That part of the river was later called Butler's Ford. After this final fight, Willett and his forces felt they had won. They turned around and headed back to their homes.

The End of the War in the Valley

Willett's victory at Johnstown happened around the same time that news arrived about the British surrender at Yorktown. Because of this, the Battle of Johnstown was the last major conflict in the Mohawk Valley. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American War of Independence in 1783.