Fort Dayton facts for kids
Fort Dayton was an important fort during the American Revolutionary War. It was located on the north side of the Mohawk River in what is now Herkimer, New York. Before this, a fort had been built in the same spot during the French and Indian War.
It's good to know that Fort Dayton is different from Fort Herkimer. Fort Herkimer was on the south side of the Mohawk River, in German Flatts, New York.
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Fort Dayton During the American Revolutionary War
When the American Revolutionary War began, Fort Dayton was not in good shape. It was described as "little better than a dilapidated block-house," which means it was old and falling apart.
In the fall of 1776, the fort was rebuilt. Colonel Elias Dayton oversaw this work, following orders from General Philip Schuyler. The new fort was made of wood and earth. It protected the stone church and other buildings on the highest ground in the village, known as "Stone Ridge." There was also a small fort, called a blockhouse, on a hill nearby.
The March to Oriskany
On August 4, 1777, General Nicholas Herkimer gathered about 900 soldiers at Fort Dayton. These soldiers were part of the Tryon County militia. Their mission was to help Colonel Peter Gansevoort at Fort Stanwix, which was being attacked by Barry St. Leger's British and Native American forces.
Herkimer's troops were mostly German settlers. They marched along the north side of the Mohawk River. On August 6, Herkimer's soldiers were ambushed in a small valley. This attack was by St. Leger's British, Loyalist, and Native American forces. General Herkimer was wounded, but he kept leading his men. This battle became known as the Battle of Oriskany. General Herkimer sadly died from his wounds on August 17, at his home.
Life and Attacks at the Fort
Life at Fort Dayton could be tough for the soldiers. In 1779, a soldier named Henry William Dwight wrote that the people there were "scandalously neglected." He mentioned that they often had "no flour and little beef," meaning they didn't always have enough food.
Fort Dayton was attacked several times. One major attack was the Attack on German Flatts (1778). The fort was also a base for soldiers who helped Johann Christian Schell after his brave stand at Schell's Bush. Soldiers from Fort Dayton also chased the Loyalist leader Walter Butler and his troops.
After Fort Stanwix was destroyed in 1781, Fort Dayton became the westernmost fort in the Mohawk Valley. In 1782, the famous Mohawk leader Joseph Brant led a siege against Fort Dayton.
After the War
In July 1783, General George Washington visited Fort Dayton. He was on an inspection tour of the Mohawk Valley. Eventually, the fort was no longer needed. It was taken down in 1832 to make way for the Erie Canal.
Today, you can find a memorial marker for Fort Dayton. It is located at the Historic Four Corners intersection on North Main Street in Herkimer.
The 1778 attack and the 1782 siege at Fort Dayton are shown in the historical novel Drums Along the Mohawk. There was also a movie based on the book, made in 1939.
