Boyd-Parker Site: July 2019
The westernmost extent of Sullivan's campaign to destroy the villages of the Native Americans who sided with the British. This was ugly business all around and displaced and killed native americans and british allies culminating in the battle at Newtown. John Burgoyne was stalled coming south from Quebec and St Ledger was scared off by Benedict Arnold's campaign against fort Stanwix. Howe was busy trying to glorify himself with a major victory in Philadelphia and Henry Clinton was holed up in New York City, showing no signs of relieved the beleaguered Burgoyne. Sullivan was tapped to go west and destroy the Native American British allies. Ant-indian sentiment was high after Burgoyne allied and sent out thousands of Mohawks Senecas and other tribes to harass rebels. To be fair, their warrior traditions were not well understood and was taken as simple savagery. Native American war was personal and stealthy and brutal. Additionally ritual canabalism (which has been practiced by most societies the world round at some point) ...was considered particularly vile. However it should be noted that hangings and drawings and quarterings were still public spectacles in London. So barbarism is a matter of perspective. As a result the sullivan;s campaign was particularly brutal.
Boyd and parker were rebel officers captured, tied to a free and tortured to death by the tribe at Beards viliage. This site commemorates them and the men who were captured. As it was created in 1928 it is a bit one sided. Tragedy abounded in the revolution and in the true light of history it is hard to fault the Native Americans who responded with equal brutality. to the campaign. They were in a difficult spot....Europeans were closing in to their territories pushing them ever further west. Thus they decided to choose the British as the better ally. THe British at least promised them their own land (modern day Indiana). Additionally the British looked like the better bet to win. The American army and Militias were pretty rough.
The Battle at Newtown is considered a critical battle to collapsing the British northern campaign. But as with all things history there are many competing truths...often complementary truths that should all be known and honored. In this case the campaign was a critical part of the war for Liberty.....In the case of the rebels it was a win. For the Native Americans of Western NY the revolution was also a battle for liberty but ultimatley a defeat....followed by a sad history. I wish in the light of history all these competing truths and and heroic deeds of all men on all sides could be noted. And I so wish the people of the past (what will they say about us in 200 years) had the chance to create a society that was for all the people of the Americas.
Boyd-Parker Site: July 2019
The westernmost extent of Sullivan's campaign to destroy the villages of the Native Americans who sided with the British. This was ugly business all around and displaced and killed native americans and british allies culminating in the battle at Newtown. John Burgoyne was stalled coming south from Quebec and St Ledger was scared off by Benedict Arnold's campaign against fort Stanwix. Howe was busy trying to glorify himself with a major victory in Philadelphia and Henry Clinton was holed up in New York City, showing no signs of relieved the beleaguered Burgoyne. Sullivan was tapped to go west and destroy the Native American British allies. Ant-indian sentiment was high after Burgoyne allied and sent out thousands of Mohawks Senecas and other tribes to harass rebels. To be fair, their warrior traditions were not well understood and was taken as simple savagery. Native American war was personal and stealthy and brutal. Additionally ritual canabalism (which has been practiced by most societies the world round at some point) ...was considered particularly vile. However it should be noted that hangings and drawings and quarterings were still public spectacles in London. So barbarism is a matter of perspective. As a result the sullivan;s campaign was particularly brutal.
Boyd and parker were rebel officers captured, tied to a free and tortured to death by the tribe at Beards viliage. This site commemorates them and the men who were captured. As it was created in 1928 it is a bit one sided. Tragedy abounded in the revolution and in the true light of history it is hard to fault the Native Americans who responded with equal brutality. to the campaign. They were in a difficult spot....Europeans were closing in to their territories pushing them ever further west. Thus they decided to choose the British as the better ally. THe British at least promised them their own land (modern day Indiana). Additionally the British looked like the better bet to win. The American army and Militias were pretty rough.
The Battle at Newtown is considered a critical battle to collapsing the British northern campaign. But as with all things history there are many competing truths...often complementary truths that should all be known and honored. In this case the campaign was a critical part of the war for Liberty.....In the case of the rebels it was a win. For the Native Americans of Western NY the revolution was also a battle for liberty but ultimatley a defeat....followed by a sad history. I wish in the light of history all these competing truths and and heroic deeds of all men on all sides could be noted. And I so wish the people of the past (what will they say about us in 200 years) had the chance to create a society that was for all the people of the Americas.