Schilb Antiquarian In the spring of that year, washington, assisted by general phillip schuyler, commander of the northern theater, developed a plan to strike deep into the heart of the iroquois nation and take the war to the native’s homeland. Four continental army brigades carried out a scorched earth campaign in the territory of the iroquois confederacy in what is now central new york. the expedition was largely successful, with 40 iroquois villages razed and their crops and food stores destroyed.
Schilb Antiquarian In the spring of 1779, major general john sullivan was selected to lead an expedition against the iroquois nation that was launched later that summer. most of the native american confederation (known as the longhouse confederation) had aligned with the british. The goal of the expedition would be to completely destroy the principal villages and food supplies of the cayuga and seneca indian nations. at the very best, it was hoped this expedition would force the six nations to sue for peace with the americans. On september 15 sullivan destroyed one last iroquois settlement near present day geneseo, n.y., and—considering his mission accomplished—turned for home. his army left a path of devastation that deserved the term “scorched earth.”. Washington gambled that a quick strike into the iroquois' central new york homelands could eliminate a key british ally without significantly weakening his forces outside new york.2 in fact, this expedition would be the only major campaign of 1779 in the north.
Schilb Antiquarian On september 15 sullivan destroyed one last iroquois settlement near present day geneseo, n.y., and—considering his mission accomplished—turned for home. his army left a path of devastation that deserved the term “scorched earth.”. Washington gambled that a quick strike into the iroquois' central new york homelands could eliminate a key british ally without significantly weakening his forces outside new york.2 in fact, this expedition would be the only major campaign of 1779 in the north. General george washington directed sullivan to invade the six nations’ territory, located in present day pennsylvania and upstate new york, in retaliation for attacks on backcountry settlements and forts and to neutralize the threat of combined british haudenosaunee military action. The survivors flee to british regions in canada and the niagara falls and buffalo areas.the sullivan expedition devastatee the iroquois crops and towns and leaves them at the mercy of the british for the harsh winter of 1779 80. In may 1779, general george washington ordered sullivan to cause the “total destruction and devastation” of the british allied haudenosaunee (iroquois confederacy) settlements and to destroy both crops in the ground and stored foods. After defeating the only organized resistance it faced at newtown, the sullivan expedition proceeded to destroy iroquois towns and cornfields. the expedition devastated the iroquois league and, because of the tactics used, remains controversial into the twenty first century.
Schilb Antiquarian General george washington directed sullivan to invade the six nations’ territory, located in present day pennsylvania and upstate new york, in retaliation for attacks on backcountry settlements and forts and to neutralize the threat of combined british haudenosaunee military action. The survivors flee to british regions in canada and the niagara falls and buffalo areas.the sullivan expedition devastatee the iroquois crops and towns and leaves them at the mercy of the british for the harsh winter of 1779 80. In may 1779, general george washington ordered sullivan to cause the “total destruction and devastation” of the british allied haudenosaunee (iroquois confederacy) settlements and to destroy both crops in the ground and stored foods. After defeating the only organized resistance it faced at newtown, the sullivan expedition proceeded to destroy iroquois towns and cornfields. the expedition devastated the iroquois league and, because of the tactics used, remains controversial into the twenty first century.
Schilb Antiquarian In may 1779, general george washington ordered sullivan to cause the “total destruction and devastation” of the british allied haudenosaunee (iroquois confederacy) settlements and to destroy both crops in the ground and stored foods. After defeating the only organized resistance it faced at newtown, the sullivan expedition proceeded to destroy iroquois towns and cornfields. the expedition devastated the iroquois league and, because of the tactics used, remains controversial into the twenty first century.
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