places and things

General George Washington decided, in the spring of 1779 to send a strong force into western New York to chastise the Indians and free the exposed settlements on the Susquehanna, Mohawk, and Delaware Rivers from surprise attacks. About the same time Mohawk Chief Thayendeneges (Joseph Brant) led a party of 60 Indians and 27 Loyalists down the Delaware to secure supplies for his hungry people in the western settlements.

On July 20, 1779 Brant attacked the unprotected Minisink settlement located near what is now Port Jervis. When news of this destructive raid reached Lt. Col. Benjamin Tusten at Goshen, he hastily assembled a militia and set out in pursuit of Brant's men. The two parties met near the mouth of the Lackawaxen on the Delaware on July 22. Tusten learned that Brant and his men were already crossing the River at the Minisink Ford with their stolen cattle, their plunder, and their prisoners. He intended a surprise the Indians but a shot by one of his men alerted Brant and gave him sufficient warning to defend himself. Part of his party was still on the New York side of the river. He led his men up a wooded hill while his remaining force recrossed the Delaware. Responding quickly, Brant used a party of 40 men to split the militia's line and attacked the rear of the larger segment. The Militia who were separated from the main body fled. Utilizing bush warfare, Brant was able to surround the militia and wage a fierce battle. After four hours Brant’s men who broke through their lines routed the depleted militia, out of ammunition and suffering from thirst. Dr. Benjamin Tusten and forty-four militiamen were killed during battle.

Brant and his band escaped up the Delaware and the American survivors returned home during the days immediately following the battle. Several initial efforts were made to recover the bodies of the defeated Colonials, but it wasn’t until 1822, 43 years later, when an expedition was sent out from Goshen to recover the skeletons that could be found. The remains of the fallen militiamen were buried in Goshen on July 22, 1822 with a ceremony that was witnessed by an estimated 12,000 people.

Although the Battle of Minisink was an Indian/Tory victory, Washington's troupes under the leadership of General John Sullivan advanced into Western New York and eventually defeated the Indians and destroyed their settlements.

The Minisink Battleground Park is located in Southern Sullivan County, off Route 97 just west of Barryville, NY.

In conformity to the Militia Law, I Embrace this first opportunity to Communicate to your Excellency my proceedings on a late Tour of duty with my Regiment. on the Evening of the 21st~ of this Instant I received an Order from His Excellency General Washington, together with a requisition of the Commissary of Prisoners to furnish one hundred Men of my Regiment for to guard the British Prisoners on their way towards Easton. at the same time received an Express from Minisink that the Indians were ravaging and burning that place. I ordered Three Companies of my Regiment—Including the Exempt Company, to parade for the purpose of the Guard the other three Companies to March immediately to Minisink on the 22. I arrived with a part of my people at Minisink, where I found Col. Thurston & Major Meeker of New Jersey with parts of their Regiments who had marched with about Eighty Men up the River a few Miles I joined this party with about Forty men, the whole amounting to one hundred and Twenty Men Officers included, a Spy came m and Informed me the Enemy lay about four hours before at Mungaup Six Miles distant from us. Our people appeared m high Spirits, we marched in pursuit with an Intention Either to fall on them by surprise or to gain in front and Ambush them. we was soon informed they were on their March up the River. I found it Impracticable to surprise them on the Grounds they now were and took my Route along the Old Keshethton path. the Indians Encamped at the Mouth of the half way brook. we encamped at 12 o'clock at Night at Skinners Saw Mill three Miles and a half from the Enemy, where we lay the Remainder of the Night. the Mountains were so Exceeding rugged & high we could not possibly get at them, as they had passed the grounds the most favorable for us to attack them on before we could overtake them. Skinners is about Eighteen Miles from Minisink. at day light on the morning of the 23 after Leaving our Horses and disengaging of everything heavy we Marched on with Intention to make the Attack the Moment an opportunity offered. The Indians probable from some discovery they had made of us marched with more Alacrity than Usual, with an Intention to get their Prisoners, Cattle & plunder taken at Minisink over the River. they had almost Effected getting their Cattle & baggage across when discovered them at Lackawack 27 Miles from Minisink some Indians in the River and some had got over, it was determined in Council to make an attack at this place I therefore disposed of the Men into three Divisions, ordered Col. Thurston to Command the one on the Right and to take post about three hundred yards distance on an Erninence to Secure our Right Lt. Col. Wesner, with another Division to file of to the Left and dispose of himself in the like manner. In order to prevent the Enemy from gaining any Advantage on our flanks. the other Division under my Command to attack them with that vigor necessary to Strike Terror in such a foe. Capt. Tyler with the advance Guard, unhappily discharged his piece before the Divisions could be properly posted, which put me under the necessity of bringing on the Action. I ordered My Division to fix their Bayonets and push forcibly on them, which order being resolutely Executed put the Indians in the utmost Confusion. great Numbers took into the River who fell from the well directed fire of our Rifle Men, and Incessant Blaze from our Musketry, without returning any fire. the Divisions in the Rear not Subject to order broke. some advanced down the hill towards me, others fled, into the Woods. I soon perceived the Enemy Rallying on our Right and Recrossing the River to gain the heights. I found myself under the Necessity to Rally all my force which by this time was much less than I Expected. the Enemy by this time had Collected in farce & from the best Accounts can be collected received a Reinforcement from Keshethon began to fire on our Left. we returned the fire and kept up a Constant Bush firing up the hill from the River, in which the brave Capt. Tyler fell. Several were wounded. the People being exceedingly fatigued obliged me to take post on a height which proved to be a piece of Strong and Advantageous ground the Enemy Repeatedly approached us from 40 to 100 yds distance and were as repeatedly repulsed. I had now but about 45 Men (Officers Included) who had lost their Command naturally drew towards me. the spirits of these few, notwithstanding their fatigue situation & unallayed thirst adding to that the Cruel Yellings of those bloody monsters, the seed of Anak in Size Exceed thought or description, we defended this ground near three hours and half, during the whole time one blaze without Intermission was kept up on both Sides. here we had three men killed and Nine Wounded. among the Wounded were Lieut. Col Thurston in the hand Major Meeker in the shoulder, Adjutant Finch in the Leg Capt. Jones in the foot and Ensign ‘Wood in the Wrist, the Chief of our people was wounded by Angle Shots from the Indians, from behind Rocks and Trees, our Rifles here were very Usefull. I found myself under the necessity of Ceasing the fire our Ammunition from the Continued fire of more than five hours, naturally Suggested that it must be Exhausted, ordered no person to Shoot, without having his Object Sure that no Shot might be lost. this gave Spirit to the Enemy who formed their whole Strength and forced the North East part of our Lines, here we gave them a Severe Gaul. our people, not being able to support the lines retreated down the hill precipitately towards the River the Enemy kept up a Constant fire on our Right which was returned, the people this time was so Scattered I found myself unequal to Rally them again consequently every Man made Choice of his own way. thus Ended the Action—

            Col. Ellisons Regiment                      one private                          Adjutant Finch
            Lient. CoL Thurston                                     of                                  Ensign Wood &
            Capt. Jones                                        New Jersey                           one private of
            Capt. Wood                                                                                      my Regiment
            Capt. Little
            Capt. Duncan
             and Twelve privates

In the whole Twenty-one Men

Several Wounded Men are come in I hope numbers of Others will yet be found. I received a Wound in my head, one in my Leg and one in my thigh Slightly the one in my thigh from Inattention is a little Troublesome Several Spies that lay near the Enemy the night following the Action inform us that they moved off their Wounded in Canoes on the day following that on the Ground where they Lay there was great Quantities of Blood their whole Encampment was marked with wounded Men, great Numbers of Plaisters & bloody Rags was found. although we Suffered by the Loss of so many brave men, the best, for the number without Sensible Error in the Precinct, its beyond doubt, the Enemy Suffered much more, from the Various parts of the action can be collected a greater number of Indians Dead than we lost besides their Wounded, the Number of Indians & Tories is not ascertained, some accounts says 90 others 120 others 160—Col. Seward of New Jersey with 93 men was within five Six Miles of the Action on Pennsylvania side did not hear the firing, approached and Lay near the Indians all night following, and from their Conduct and Groanings of the Wounded gave rise to a belief that they had been in some action where they had suffered, and would have attacked them round their fires but a Mutiny arose among some of his People which prevented: a very unfavorable and to be Lamented Circumstance if in their situation he had attacked them with the common Smiles of Providence he must have Succeeded and put them to a Total rout.

Dear Governor its not in my Power to point out to you the disagreeable Situation I was in Surrounded by a foe with a handful of Such Valuable Men not only as Soldiers but as fellow Citizens and members of Society and nothing to be Expected but the Hatchet Spear, and Scalping Knife. The Tremendous Yells and Whoops all the fiends in the Confines of the Infernal Regions with one United Cry could not Exceed it. add to this the Cries the Entreaties and feeling Petitions of the Wounded around me not to leave them was—is beyond parallel or Idea. my heart Bleeds for the unfortunate who fell wounded into their hands. however one Circumstance gives me a little Consolation. Mr. Roger Townsend of Goshen received a Wound in his Thigh being Exceeding Thirsty making an attempt to go to find some Water, was met by an Indian who very friendly took him by the hand, said he was his Prisoner, and would not hurt him. a well directed Ball from one of our Men put the Indian in a dose and Mr. Townsend ran back into the Lines. I hope some Little humanity may be Yet found in the breast of those Savages.

I should be at the Greatest Loss was I to attempt to point out one Officer or Soldier that Exceeded another in bravery dureing the time of the General Action. too Much praise cant be given to them for their attention in Receiving orders and alacrity in Executing them.

I have acquiesced with Col Woodhull in ordering 1/8th of our Regiments to Minisink as a Temporary Guard—until your Excellency’s pleasure is known on the Subject—

The Indians were under the Command of Brant who was Either Killed or Wounded in the Action they Burnt Major Deckers House and Barn Samuel Davis’s House Barn & Mill Jacobus Van Vlecks House & Barn, Daniel Vanokers Barn, here was Two Indians Killed from a Little Fort round the house—which was Saved. Esquire Cuykindalls house & barn Simon Westfalls house and barn, the Church Peter Cuykindalls house and Barn Mertintus Deckers

Fort, house, Barn and Saw Mills and Nehemiah Pattersons Saw Mill, Killed & Scalped Jeremiah Vanoker Daniel Cole Ephraim Ferguson & one Travirse. took with them Several Prisoners, most

Children with a great Number of Horses Cattle & Valuable Plunder. some of the Cattle we resqued and returned to the owners. I hope your Excell’y will make allowance for the Imperfect Stile, Razures & Blots of this Line whilst I have the honour to Subscribe myself with the most perfect Esteem in hast

Oghwage July 29th 1779

Sir/

I beg leave to acquaint you, that I arrived here last night from Minisink, and was a good deal disappointed that I cou’d not get into that place at the time I wished to do, a little before day; instead of which I did not arrive ‘till noon, when all the Cattle was in the Woods so we cou’d get but a few of them. We have burnt all the Settlement called Minisink, one Fort excepted, round which we lay before, about an hour, & had one man Killed & one wounded. We destroyed several small stockaded Forts, and took four Scalps & three Prisoners; but did not in the least injure Women or Children. The reason that we cou’d not take more of them, was owing to the many Forts about the Place, into which they were always ready to run hike ground Hogs. I left this Place about 8 o'clock next day, and marched 15 miles, there are two roads, one thro’ the woods, the other alongside the River; we were coming up this road next morning, and I sent two men to examine the other road, the only way the Rebels cou’d come to attack us; 4 these men found the Enemy’s path not far from our Camp, & discovered they had got before to lay in ambush—The two Rascals were afraid when they saw the Path, and did not return ‘to in— form us, so that the Rebels had fair play at us. They fired on the Front of our People when crossing the River, I was then about 400 yards in the Rear, as soon as the Firing began I immediately marched up a Hill in their Rear with 40 men, & came round on their backs, the rest of my men were all scattered on the other side; however, the Rebels soon retreated and I pursued them, until1 they stopt upon a Rocky Hill, round which we were employed & very busy, near four hours before we cou’d drive them out. We have taken 40 odd scalps, and one Prisoner, a Captain. I suppose the Enemy have lost near half of their men & most of their Officers: they all belonged to the Militia & were about 150 in number.

I am informed by the Prisoners, that the King’s Troops had taken a Post below the Highlands on the north River, called King’s Ferry, in which were 50 men, and had built a Fort on each side of the River: That after this Genl Clinton sent a part of his army into New England, took several Towns, and destroyed a great deal of stores &c.—that Genl. Washington in the mean time sent part of his Army in the night & surprized one of his Forts, m which 500 men were taken Prisoners—this affair happened some time ago

The night after we left Minisink, I received another piece of Intelligence that Genl. Clinton at the head of a great army was coming up the North River, and drove Genl. Washington and his Army before him, and obliged him to retreat up the River in a hurry; this news I received from the Rebels, who also said the Country were extremely alarmed. I find the Enemy certainly intends an expedition into the Indian Country, & have built strong Forts—by the last accounts they were at Wyoming. perhaps by this time they may be at Shimong, where I have sent my Party to remain ‘till I join them; I am now seting off with 8 men to the Mohawk River, in order to discover the Enemy’s motions.

John the Mohawk dangerously wounded, and 3 more almost in a bad a situation—I am afraid they will not recover—

GAMALIEL BAILEY

WILLIAM BARKER

DAVID BARNEY

BENJAMIN BENNETT

JOHN CARPENTER

JOEL DECKER

JOHN DUNCAN

BENJAMIN DUNNING

JACOB DUNNING

ADAM EMBLER

EPHRAIM FERGUSON

NATHANIEL FINCH

JONATHAN HASKELL

SAMUEL JONES

JAMES KNAPP

SAMUEL KNAPP

JAMES LITTLE

JOHN LITTLE

SAMUEL LITTLE

JOSHUA LOCKWOOD

EPBRAIM MASTEN

STEPHEN MEAD

EPHRAIM MIDDAUGH

BALTUS NIERPOS (NEARPASS)

JOSEPH NORRIS

ELEAZER OWENS

JONATHAN PIERCE

DANIEL REED

JOSEPH RYDER

ELIAKIM ROSS

ABRAHAM SHEPHERD

JONATHAN SHERDERD (SHEPHARD)

DANIEL TAILMAD