The Revolutionary War, Oneida’s legacy to freedom
The Oneida Indian Nation played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, siding with the Americans against the British. Having fought valiantly in several key battles of the American War for Independence including the battles of Oriskany, Saratoga and Barren Hill, the Oneida Indian Nation became known as the United State’s first allies.
The Oneida Indians, joined by the Tuscaroras, are the only members of the Haudenosaunee confederacy to side with the colonists in the Revolutionary War.
The Oneida Indian Nation’s loyalty, courage and sacrifice was formally recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1794 with the Treaty of Canandaigua, a document signed by President George Washington that affirmed the Oneida Indian Nation’s right to oversee its affairs and lands without interference from other governments.
THE ONEIDAS AT THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY
Treaty of Canandaigua
The Treaty of Canandaigua is the oldest treaty still recognized by the federal government. Each year, the U.S. Department of Interior recognizes the treaty by giving annuity cloth to the people of the Oneida Indian Nation.
THE ORIGINAL TREATY SIGNED BY PRESIDENT WASHINGTON
Housed at the National Archives in Washington, DC, this document between the United States and the American Indian nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Iroquois) was signed on Nov. 11, 1794. Known as The Treaty of Canandaigua or Pickering Treaty, it was ratified on January 21, 1795 and signed by President George Washington. According to the U.S. Constitution, once approved, treaties “shall be the supreme Law of the land…”
“As our trusted friends, we shall protect you; and shall at all times consider your welfare as our own.”
In December, 1777, the Continental Congress gratefully addressed the Oneidas in these terms:
HEARKEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY TO YOU IN PARTICULAR:
It rejoices our hearts, that we have no reason to reproach you in common with the rest of the Six Nations. We have experienced your love, strong as the oak, and your fidelity, unchangeable as truth. You have kept fast hold of the ancient covenant-chain, and preserved it free from rust and decay, and bright as silver. Like brave men, for glory you despised danger; you stood forth, in the cause of your friends, and ventured your lives in our battles. While the sun and moon continue to give light to the world, we shall love and respect you. As our trusted friends, we shall protect you; and shall at all times consider your welfare as our own. Journals of the Continental Congress 9:996
The State of New York expressed its appreciation of the Oneidas on September 3 of the same year: “Resolved, that the Oneida [Indian] Nation are the allies of this State and that we shall consider any attack upon them as an attack upon our own People.” Public Papers of Governor George Clinton 2:272
At Oriskany
Reporting on the Aug. 6, 1777 Battle of Oriskany – where at least 60 Oneidas fought with the colonists — the newspaper Pennsylvania Journal & Weekly Advertiser of Sept 3, 1777 described Oneida Han Yerry and his family as…
PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER OF SEPT 3, 1777
The newspaper described Oneida Han Yerry and his family as… “… a friendly Indian, with his wife and son, who distinguished themselves remarkably on that occasion. The Indian killed nine of the enemy, when, having received a ball through his wrist that disabled him from using his gun, fought with his tomahawk. His son killed two and his wife, on horseback, fought by his side with pistols during the whole action.”
Han Yerry’s wife, Tyonajanegen aided her husband on the field of battle by loading his gun for him. For six hours, the duration of the fight, she fought side by side with her husband.
Tyonajanegen then went forth and notified the other colonists of the great bloodshed that had ensued from the British ambush of the colonists at Oriskany.
At Saratoga
“In the 1777 campaign, the Oneidas were instrumental,” said Larry Arnold, chairman of the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.
LARRY ARNOLD, CHAIRMAN OF THE FRIENDS OF SARATOGA BATTLEFIELD:
“In the 1777 campaign, the Oneidas were instrumental. They were the first sovereign nation to recognize the country of the United States. People don’t realize the staggering losses the Oneidas sustained during the Revolutionary War.”
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