Brant's Volunteers facts for kids

Brant's Volunteers, also known as Joseph Brant's Volunteers, were a special group of fighters during the American Revolutionary War. They were led by Joseph Brant, a brave Mohawk chief who supported the British. These volunteers fought on the British side in the Province of New York. They were not regular soldiers, so the British government didn't give them uniforms, weapons, or pay. They found their own food and supplies, often from battlefields.

Who Were Brant's Volunteers?

British Loyalist Mohawk chief Joseph Brant in a 1776 painting by artist George Romney

When the group first started, it had about 100 men. About 20% were Mohawk allies of the British. The other 80% were white Loyalists from New York. Loyalists were people who stayed loyal to the British King during the war. Many of these Loyalists were from English, Scottish, and Irish families.

Joseph Brant himself was a captain in the Six Nations Indian Department. But most of his group were "associators," which means they were volunteers. They did not get paid by the British. Instead, they relied on taking supplies from battlefields. Sometimes, Joseph Brant even used his own money to help them. Later, a British general named Frederick Haldimand allowed them to receive supplies, but still no pay.

Because the unit was not officially recognized, many members later joined other groups. These included Butler's Rangers and the King's Royal Regiment of New York. As the war went on, Brant was able to get more Native American fighters to join his unit. It grew to more than 300 members.

Battles and Campaigns

Brant's Volunteers took part in many important battles during the American Revolutionary War.

In 1777, they fought in the Battle of Oriskany. This was a very tough fight.

In 1778, they were involved in several actions:

• The Battle of Cobleskill
• The Attack on German Flatts
• A raid on Springfield

In 1779, they fought in the Battle of Minisink.

What Did They Wear?

Brant's Volunteers usually wore their regular civilian clothes. To make sure they could tell who was on their side during battles, Joseph Brant had his men wear yellow lace on their hats. This helped them easily spot each other as British Loyalists.

Sometimes, Brant's men even dressed up as Native Americans. They did this to hide their true identity when they raided the homes of their former Patriot neighbors.

After the War

When the war ended, some of the white Loyalist members of Brant's company were still with the unit. They moved with Joseph Brant and his Mohawk people. They settled along the Grand River in what was then the Province of Quebec, which is now part of British Canada.