The Oneida Carry: An Ancient Trail
The Oneida Nation and an ancient route through the mountains were strategically vital to the American Revolution
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Natural break
Between the Mohawk River (leading to the Hudson River and the Atlantic) and Wood Creek, (leading to the Oneida Lake and the Great Lakes) there is a break between the Appalachian Mountains that the Oneida people used to carry their boats. Hence the name The Oneida Carry.
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Spring vs Summer
In the spring the thaw flooded the watershed and the carry was approximately 1 mile or 1.6 kilometres. However in late summer, with reduced rainfall, the carry was up to 6 miles or 9.6 kilometres.
Map Depicting the Siege of Fort Stanwix and the Oneida Carry (1777) by Francois Louis Tesseidre de FleuryFort Stanwix National Monument
Heart of the Oneida homeland
Called De-o-wain-sta (The Great Carrying Place / Two Rivers Together), European maps renamed it the Oneida Carry as it cut directly through the sovereign territory of the Oneida Nation. The Oneida Nation, is one of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquoian) tribe, historically based in upstate New York.
Vital artery
The Carry was a key route for news and goods. The Oneida leveraged their control of this route during the fur trade boom, employing Oneida laborers and setting tolls for European traders.
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Militarization of the Carry
The British erected Forts Ontario & Bull in 1775, at both ends of the portage during the French & Indian War to secure supply lines to Lake Ontario.
Ariel view of Fort Stanwix including entranceFort Stanwix National Monument
1758: Fort Stanwix
A large British star-fort was erected on the Carry to anchor the frontier. In 1768 the British negotiated away vast tracts of native land, pushing the boundary deep into traditional territories. The Boundary Line Treaty was signed at Fort Stanwix.
Exterior wall of fort with flagFort Stanwix National Monument
Strategic concept, vital position
In 1776, American troops rushed to rebuild the ruined Fort Stanwix, renaming it Fort Schuyler. They knew that if the British captured the Oneida Carry, they could join Canadian forces with New York City, physically isolating rebellious New England from the rest of the colonies.
Oneida and Americans at armsFort Stanwix National Monument
6 miles that shaped America
The American Revolution was saved in 1777 not just by the walls of Fort Schuyler (Stanwix), but by the physical bottleneck of the Oneida Carry and the support of the Oneida people.
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