Battle of Oriskany

The Battle of Oriskany was an engagement in American Revolutionary War. On August 6, 1777 an American militia force led by General Nicholas Herkimer was ambushed and routed by Barry St. Ledger's expeditionary force. In addition to the British regulars, a large Indian contingent under Joseph Brandt and John Butler participated in the ambush.

The American force was on the march to relieve St. Ledger's siege of Fort Stanwix, but was repelled. Herkimer fell mortally wounded, but managed to rally his men to achieve an orderly withdrawal. A thunder storm provided the surviving Americans the chance to escape, but half of their force was dead, wounded or captured.