The First Stars and Stripes

in Revolutionary War Battle

Fort Schuyler

STARS AND STRIPED FIRST UNFURLED IN BATTLE

IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY

In 1927 the Herkimer County Historical Society, collaborating with the Mohawk Valley Historic Association and the other historical societies of the valley, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first unfurling of the Stars and Stripes in the face of an enemy. This is one of the forth-coming celebrations of historically important events in the famous Mohawk Valley of New York, which have been planned by the Societies. The fiftieth anniversary of the manufacture of the first practical typewriter, at Ilion, Herkimer County, New York, will be celebrated this year.

By W. Pierrepont White,

President Mohawk Valley Historic Association.

On Sunday, August 3, 1777, 146 years ago, the Stars and Stripes were first unfurled in the face of an enemy.

This event took place on the southeast bastion of Fort Schuyler, the Revolutionary fort erected on the site of Fort Stanwix, now in the city of Rome, N.Y.

The circumstances were most dramatic! The freedom of the Colonies was at stake! The place was in the Mohawk Valley, at the "great carry" on the all-water route between Albany and Oswego. Burgoyne's campaign to crush the rebellious Colonies was in active operation. St. Leger was on his way from Oswego. Oneida Lake was full of bateaux carrying his soldiers, the canoes of a thousand Indians paddled up alongside. With St. Leger were Butler, Brant, and Sir John Johnson, intent on scourging the valley as soon as Fort Schuyler fell.

Fort Stanwix was built in the forests of the Iroquois in 1758, as a frontier defense against the French. It guarded the vital spot on the transcontinental divide controlling the most important commercial route of the continent. For 18 years, however, it had stood neglected, its wooden buildings and stockades rotted to the ground; its earthworks ravished by the elements. In 1776, Col. Dayton was directed to build a fort at this carry for the protection of the Mohawk Valley. Upon the remains of Fort Stanwix the new defense arose- the Fort Schuyler, whose capture was essential to Burgoyne's success.

Burgoyne's campaign had blossomed into action in 1777. He commanded the Lake Champlain expedition. General Howe was to come up the Hudson, capture West Point and meet Burgoyne. To St. Leger was intrusted the duty of attacking the west end of the Mohawk Valley, from whence he was to sweep victoriously to Albany.

To stop St. Leger's invasion, Washington sent Colonel Gansevoort to garrison the uncompleted and partly victualled Fort Schuyler. Early in July word was received that St. Leger was moving from Oswego. Simultaneously Lieutenant Mellon with 200 men of the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment and 100 bateaux of provisions feverishly worked his way up the Mohawk. On August 2nd, braving the fire of St. Leger's advance guard, his men and provisions were barely landed with the fort, which a few hours later was completely surrounded by St. Leger and his troops. With Mellon's supplies came a newspaper telling of the congressional resolution of JUne 14, 1777, adopting the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States. Fort Schuyler was without a flag. Sunday, the 3rd, became memorable by the patriotic supplying of this want. From a soldier's white shirt, a woman's red petticoat and blue cloth of Captain Abraham Swartwout's camlet cloak, our emblem of red, white and blue was pieced together by the women of the fort. When the last stitch was taken the drummer beat the assembly, the adjutant read the congressional resolution, bang went the cannon; up went the flag, and am id the cheers of the men, Fort Schuyler first unfurled the Stars and STripes in the face of the enemy.

During this time General Nicholas Herkimer was leading his troops to relieve the fort, only to be met at Oriskany by St. Leger and his Indian allies where the bloody battle was fought which was the turning point in the Revolution. Herkimer's sacrifice enabled Gansevoort to maintain our flaunting flag in the face of the enemy and it was never surrendered.

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