We had no plans to investigate the Oriskany Battlefield however the temptation of driving past it was overwhelming. What I can tell you about the Oriskany Battlefield is that it was one of the bloodiest battles fought in the war of independence. Today the battlefield is considered a national landmark and in 1884 was erected for the soldiers who perished that fought for our independence. British and Tory forces set up camp here and apparently this was a base camp so that they could replenish their forces to invade Fort Stanwix. General Herkimer heard of the invasion of the Fort so he assembled some forces which in turn heading to the fort they were ambushed in the ravine and Oriskany Creek. The Americans and British forces fought hard and although many Americans did perish the Tory/British forces/Indians  retreated which led to an American Victory. Today you can walk around the area and read little signs on the trails about the ambush, battles things of that sort. Even during the daytime you can feel such great energy here in the wind and in the air. You can smell death and honestly at night I am almost sure this place would be a paranormal haven for ectoplasm and ghost. The trails are very dark and you can see why someone would chose this area for a battle. Besides the giant stone monument their is also another area that looks like a grave plot perhaps for all the soldiers that died here since their are names engraved on it. When you think of this battlefield you think about the death of General Herkimer which died 10 days after this battle from a severe leg injury fighting bravely.

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Rick-AngelOfThyNight

Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site

Considered to be a significant turning point in the War of Independence, the Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, has been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A monument was dedicated on August 6, 1884, to serve as a memorial to those who fought so bravely and tenaciously to preserve freedom. Oriskany Battlefield was designated a New York State historic site in 1927. In recognition of the site's exceptional historic value, the battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963. Today, visitors to the battlefield can walk the site, read a series of interpretive signs, and visit a historic encampment during special events.

In August 1777, while the British were attacking Fort Stanwix, Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer assembled 800 troops, supported by 60 allied Oneida warriors, and marched from Fort Dayton to aid in the siege. Upon hearing of Herkimer's advance, British and Tory troops under Sir John Johnson and Col. John Butler, and Indian forces led by Mohawk Joseph Brant, set a trap in a boggy ravine west of Oriskany Creek. As the unsuspecting American troops crossed the swampy bottom and marched up the ravine, the British attacked. The patriots fought in brutal hand-to-hand combat, and in spite of heavy losses, caused the Seneca and the Mohawks, followed by the British and Tories to retreat. It was in this battle that General Herkimer received the wound to his leg which led to his death ten days later.