Burning Valleys

- The Sullivan Campaign Against the Iroquois:

A Field & Walking Tour

July 13-14, 2012 – based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

led by Stuart R. Dempsey and Jerry Desko

 

“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 corn.

 

I would recommend, that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with a sufficient quantity of provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the country may not by merely overrun, but destroyed.”

 

Orders of George Washington

To General John Sullivan

At Head-Quarters

May 31, 1779

 

And thus, in July 1779, General John Sullivan led a force of over 4,000 Continental soldiers into the lands of the Six Nations’ Confederacy to punish the Iroquois for their support of the British and to destroy them as a military power.

 

By the end of the summer Sullivan’s army had conducted a highly efficient operation, destroying 40 towns and villages and at least 160,000 bushels of corn, leaving his opponents destitute in the face of what would prove to be one of the worst winters on record. The U. S. Army’s first major campaign against a Native American foe saw the effective use of espionage and deception by Washington and his subordinates, and innovative training and tactics demonstrating an increasing professionalism.

Our program will begin on Friday night, at our base hotel in Wilkes-Barre, with a welcome dinner. Afterwards, we’ll be treated to a comprehensive campaign overview that will address the state of the Six Nations’ Confederacy from the years prior to the American Revolution up to 1779, followed by a presentation on the Continental Army from its inception through 1779, emphasizing its maturation as a military force and its specific preparations for the campaign against the Iroquois.

On Saturday, we will set forth on a tour of sites associated with the Sullivan Campaign, following the route of the Continental forces northward. Stops will include Wilkes-Barre Fort, Wyoming Massacre site, Tioga Point, the Chemung Ambush site, and the Newtown battlefield, where occurred the  major engagement of the campaign. There, on August 29, 1779, Sullivan's scouts discovered that the army was about to be the victim of an ambush by Indian Chief Joseph Brant's warriors and Colonel John Butler's Loyalist forces who were imbedded behind a half mile long breastworks. Sullivan's armies moved into position, readied their cannons, fired at the breastworks, and the Battle of Newtown was underway. The Continental Army held its and the Native and Loyalist forces turned and fled. 

The Continental forces moved north into the Finger Lakes area, driving the Indian inhabitants before them, and systematically burning crops and villages.  In this regard, the expedition was a success. 

The Indians who were driven out of their territories and homes were forced to take refuge at British-held Fort Niagara. There, with little space to house them and insufficient supplies to feed them, many died from the cold, disease, and starvation during that winter.  Many of those who survived fled to Canada. The League of Six Nations, the Iroquois Confederacy, was broken.

However, Sullivan did not complete the rest of General Washington's orders - to proceed farther north to the shores of Lake Ontario and capture Fort Niagara and Fort Oswego. The Indian raids on the frontier settlements would continue with even greater fervor – and as a result, the Sullivan Campaign expedition has been called a "well-executed failure." 

This will be a fascinating tour of a subject rarely, if ever, treated in a group tour format. The story lines are compelling, the characters – American, Indian and British - are intriguing, and most of the sites are rarely visited. Our tour leaders are highly knowledgeable presenters, and they have prepared a substantial packet of maps and information for each attendee. Attendance on this tour is limited. We hope you’ll join us!

About Our Tour Leaders

 

Stuart R. Dempsey is a veteran leader of American Revolution, Civil War and European World War II tours. He has served as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park since 2004. He is the author of many articles for various historical magazines, is completing a book-length manuscript on selected Federal units at Gettysburg, and has taught courses on military history for Harrisburg Area Community College.

 

Jerry Desko is a retired police officer turned author and historian. HIs expertise lies in early American military history. His passion for the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign stems from the fact he grew up along the banks of the Susquehanna River in upstate New York.

Registration Fee (lodging not included): $195

 

What is Included in your Registration Fee:

 

·        the services of expert historians chosen for their knowledge and experience

·        bus transportation to sites as indicated

·        Friday dinner

·        Saturday lunch

·        refreshments and snacks during the tour

·        map & information package

 

Program Schedule

Friday, July 13

6:30 PM-7:30 PM          Welcome Dinner – Ramada Inn Wilkes-Barre

7:30 PM-9:00 PM          Campaign Overview

Saturday, July 14

8:00 AM                       Bus Departs for Tour

12:15 PM                     Lunch in Athens

6:30 PM                       Arrive Back Ramada Inn Wilkes-Barre

Base Location & Lodging: We will be based at the Ramada Inn Wilkes-Barre, 20 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 where we have rooms at the special nightly rate of $75.00 + tax: Single, and $80.00 + tax: Double. To reserve a room under our block, call 570-824-7100 and identify yourself as a registrant for the American History Forum tour.
DIRECTIONS:
FROM I-81: Get off on Exit 168. Take a left turn onto Highland Park Blvd. Follow to Coal Street and continue until you can no longer go straight. Take a left onto Wilkes Barre Blvd and then the first right onto East Market Street - and follow to Public Square. This is the center of town and the Ramada Inn is a block away and on your right. The hotel parking lot entrance is behind the hotel on North Main Street.
FROM the EAST: Take I-80 West to Exit 277 in Pennsylvania. This is the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension Rt. 476 North - follow it to Exit 105. After exiting the toll booth, make a left hand turn onto 115 North towards Wilkes Barre. Follow to 309 North and take Exit 2 Wilkes-Barre Center City. Make a left turn at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Wilkes-Barre Blvd. At the fifth traffic light, make a right onto East Market Street and follow to Public Square. This is the center of town and the Ramada Inn is a block away and on your right. The hotel parking lot entrance is behind the hotel on North Main Street.
 FROM the WEST: Take I-80 East to I-81 North. Take I-81 North to Exit 168. Take a left turn onto Highland Park Blvd. Follow to Coal Street and continue until you can no longer go straight. Take a left onto Wilke-Barre Blvd and then the first right onto East Market Street - and follow to Public Square. This is the center of town and the Ramada Inn is a block away and on your right. The hotel parking lot entrance is behind the hotel on North Main Street.