Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site facts for kids
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Oriskany Battlefield
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Oriskany Battlefield monument
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| Location | 7801 State Route 69, Oriskany, New York, United States |
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| Built | 1884 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000558 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 23, 1962 |
The Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site is a special place in Oneida County, New York. It marks where the Battle of Oriskany happened in 1777. This battle was a very important and bloody fight during the American Revolution.
The park is located northwest of the Village of Oriskany. It's also southeast of the City of Rome, right on NY Route 69. The main feature you'll see there is a tall, pointed stone monument called an obelisk. It has special plaques at its base that tell the story of the battle and list the people who fought there.
The battlefield itself is on the south side of the Mohawk River. The land has small hills and valleys, which are called ravines. These lead down to the flat areas near the Mohawk River.
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The Battle of Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany was one of the toughest fights of the American Revolution. It happened when Patriot General Nicholas Herkimer was leading his militia. A militia is a group of citizens who act as soldiers. General Herkimer and his men were trying to help Fort Stanwix, which was under attack.
As they marched, they were suddenly ambushed in a ravine. An ambush is a surprise attack. The attack was led by Iroquois chief Joseph Brant. His group included Iroquois warriors and Loyalists. Loyalists were American colonists who stayed loyal to the British king.
General Herkimer, even after being wounded, quickly came up with a smart plan. He told his militia to fight in pairs, hiding behind trees or rocks. One soldier would fire their gun, and while they reloaded, the other soldier would cover them. This tactic worked well against the Iroquois warriors, who often charged after an enemy fired.
The battle was very fierce. Many people on both sides were hurt or killed. It was especially sad because many of the fighters were neighbors, friends, or even relatives. After a heavy rainstorm and losing many of their leaders, the British forces finally pulled back. This left the Tryon County militia, Herkimer's men, in control of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the soldiers at Fort Stanwix saw that the British forces outside the fort were weaker. They took the chance to rush out and raid the British camp. General Herkimer died from his wounds a few days later. The Battle of Oriskany is remembered as one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. This is because of the high number of casualties compared to the number of fighters. You can learn more details at Battle of Oriskany.
Remembering the Battle
A large monument stands at the Oriskany Battlefield today. It is placed on a small hill where many American soldiers gathered during the ambush. It was here that General Herkimer, even though he was wounded, bravely rallied his troops and gave them orders.
The monument has special plaques that show pictures of Herkimer. They also list the names of many American soldiers who fought in the battle. This monument was officially dedicated in 1884.
Because of its importance, the site was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. This means it's a very special place in American history. It is also a New York State Historic Site.
Things to Do at Oriskany Battlefield
When you visit the Oriskany Battlefield, you can explore the visitor center and museum. You can also enjoy the scenic views and have a picnic. There are trails for hiking, and you can take tours to learn more. Sometimes, they even have re-enactments of the battle!
Images for kids
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A panel on the monument showing the battle in action.
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A panel with text describing the battle.
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General Herkimer directing his troops during the battle.
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A list of the Tryon militia participants who fought in the battle.
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A plaque located near the Mohawk River bottomlands.
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A plaque at the rally site where Herkimer gathered his forces.
