Colonel Van Schaick's Attack on the Onondaga

In April of 1779 General Sullivan ordered the destruction of the chief village of the Onondaga, otherwise known as Onondaga Castle, to be destroyed so the Onondaga would be less able to attack the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign when the main force destroyed nearby villages later that year.

The order was given to Colonel Goose Van Schaick and Colonel Mavinus Wilett who were veterans of the siege at Fort Stanwix. With Fort Stanwix located at the opposite side of Oneida Lake from Onondaga Castle it was selected as the starting point for the raid on the Onondaga. 

Route of Van Schaick's Campaign via a Sullivan-Clinton Campaign Stone Marker

Colonel Van Schaick selected 558 men who lost family and homes to past Native American raids to carry out the order. Together with Oneida Chief Hannyerry and 60 of his braves the force left Fort Stanwix on April 21, 1779 and crossed Oneida Lake before camping at the ruins of Fort Brewerton that was located on the opposite end of the lake.

Same photo as above but with Van Schaick's route outlined for better clarity

The following day the combined force sprung a surprise attack on Onondaga Castle destroying all crops and food stores before razing the village. Fortune favored the raid along with a group of 40 or so Onondaga who had sided with the Colonists at the beginning of the year and left to live among the Oneida and Tuscaroras.

After razing Onondaga Castle Colonel Van Schaick and his men returned to Fort Stanwix. In all the campaign lasted five and a half days and ended with 12 Onondaga killed, 33 take prisoner and no casualties among the Colonial forces.

The marker stone with the marker itself missing

The site of Onondaga Castle is now the site of Onondaga Park in Syracuse. There is a historical marker noting the approximate location of Onondaga Castle in Onondaga Park just off of Onondaga Avenue. GPS Coordinates are Latitude  43° 1'37.92"N by Longitude  76° 9'46.64"W.

There is also a historical marker noting the passage of Colonel Van Schaick and his men on their way to Onondaga Castle on Route 49 in Constantia on the Northern shore of Oneida Lake. GPS Coordinates to this marker are Latitude  43°14'53.84"N by Longitude  75°59'21.38"W.