The fourth episode in the Frontier Partisans Podcast series on The American Revolution on the Frontier is up. You can listen to it here or on Spotify and most other podcast platforms.
This episode covers the Sullivan Expedition of 1779, when General George Washington carved off four brigades of the Continental Army to form a punitive expedition against the Iroquois under the command of General John Sullivan.
Committing a major portion of his army to dealing with the Iroquois demonstrates how seriously Washington took the threat to the New York/Pennsylvania frontier that the devastating raids of 1778 had created. The frontier war was no sideshow; it was the show.
The Sullivan Expedition was characterized by skillful use of Rifle Corps soldiers as scouts and skirmishers. Art by Don Troiani.
Washington’s orders to Sullivan were:
“The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the six nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more…. the country may not be merely overrun but destroyed… You will not by [any] means, listen to any overture of peace before the total ruin of their settlements is effected… ”
Ever since 1779, people have questioned the strategic impact of the Sullivan Campaign. It succeeded in achieving Washington’s goal of destroying the Seneca and Cayuga towns — earning Washington the name Town Destroyer in the Seneca bestiary. But it didn’t knock them out of the war, and 1780 saw a renewal of major raids into the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys.
In the late 20th century up to today, you’ll hear the campaign referred to as “genocide.” I discuss my reasons for rejecting that label in the podcast.
I’m especially proud of this episode. Hope you find it worthy.
Greg Marshall says
The map has an error. There would not have been a ‘Province of Quebec’ at this time.
It might have been Upper Canada and Lower Canada (upper and lower relative to the St.Lawrence River.
More likely just ‘Canada’.
JimC says
The Province of Quebec was established in 1763 when Britain won the French & Indian War. Per The Canadian Encyclopedia:
Greg Marshall says
Yep. Should read my own history. Upper and Lower Canada came into official use in 1791.
Matthew Ilseman says
Great podcast!
I don’t think the campaign was genocide, but it certainly was cruel. I think it will controversial for sometime.
JimC says
Thx Matthew. Glad it landed.
I’d say unknown to most and controversial to those who do know something about it.
Matthew Ilseman says
Interestingly, the same day as you dropped your podcast Horrorbabble dropped a reading of a story about a murderous Iroquois ghost haunting a vacation resort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP30Ikx0WQg
It was originally published in Weird Tales the same magazine Howard often did.
JimC says
Cool! I’ll listen to this tonight.
The Black Tyrone says
I am not an arms expert by any means … Spanish Mauser?? Just want to guess.