In Defending Fort Stanwix: A Story of the New York Frontier in the American Revolution (Cornell University Press, 2024), William L. Kidder tells the dramatic story of “the fort that never surrendered” and the crucial role it played in the American War for Independence.
After a series of military defeats over the winter of 1776–1777, British military leaders developed a bold plan to gain control of the Hudson River and divide New England from the rest of the colonies.
Three armies would converge on Albany: one under Lieutenant General John Burgoyne moving south from Quebec, one under General William Howe moving north from the city of New York, and a third under Lieutenant Colonel Barrimore St. Leger cutting east from Lake Ontario along the Mohawk River.
Fort Stanwix, in what is now Rome, Oneida County, NY, lay directly on the path of St. Leger’s force, making it a key defensive position for the Continental Army. By delaying St. Leger’s troops and forcing a retreat, the garrison’s stand at Fort Stanwix contributed to Burgoyne’s surrender at the Battles of Saratoga a month later, a major turning point in the course of the war.
Kidder offers an engaging account of life in and around the fort in the months leading up to the siege, detailing the lives of soldiers and their families, civilians, and the Haudenosaunee peoples with a focus on both the mundane aspects of military life and the courageous actions that earned distinction.
Defending Fort Stanwix relates the stories of local men and women, both settler and native, who helped with the fort’s defense before, during, and after the siege and showcases an exciting, overlooked story of bravery and cooperation on New York’s frontier during the American Revolution.
Upcoming Event
Fort Plain Museum & Historical Park will host author William Kidder on Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 6 pm until 8 pm at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery. Admission is $10 (Non-Members) for the Event Only or $35 for the Event and a Copy of the Book. Members save $5 off each option.
Register online here. Pay at the door registration is availble, but please email info@fortplainmuseum.org to be placed on the guest list.
The event will also include a book signing with catered assorted pastries and beverages. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Fulton-Montgomery Community College’s Allen House is located at 2805 State Highway 67 in Johnstown, NY.
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