Food For thought

Date: 11/26/2007 2:37:38 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
From: Jacqueline House
November 26, 2007

Dear Children,

Most recently we have been giving the opportunity to journey a trail our forefathers last walked 1779, as we have been invited to go back home: Cayuga Lake, Upstate New York. This experience keeps me wondering and of the wanting to know more. At times I sit here and fight the tears of what I have come to learn. This experience does not come from a textbook or a Walt Disney Movie.

Saturday, September 22, 2007 Edward’s journal and mine has begun, while Claudia and Joey’s are added and where someday I am sure Michelle will find her way. A story of; passion, hurt, and mourning, but above all, triumph. At 5am, we left Six Nations to set out to attend a Tutelo gathering along Cayuga Lake. Before we were to go to this gathering, we went to what is called a Share Farm in Union Springs, where we would spend the night. On our way there, we read signs on people’s yards that read, "No Reserve, No Sovereign Nation." We also stopped and read plagues along the side of the road: Gen. Sullivan ordered the Army in on the Cayuga Nation September 21, 1779 and another saying it was destroyed September 23, 1779.

We pulled up into the driveway what appeared to be a very old structure, but in great shape with plenty of trees surrounding the yard. Out of the house came one of our brothers introducing himself with his English name of Dan. After a four and a half-hour drive, we needed to stretch and unwind and of course use the bathroom. At this point everything was happening too fast, I didn't have time to think about our new surroundings as we walked the grounds and it certainly never dawned on me of where I was until the next day. I heard bits and pieces when I was in school but it seemed so far away and so unreal. But here I am standing on the very soil of our people of the day and I never thought in a million years I would be a part of unraveling the past, nor telling a remarkable story. Sunday September 23, 2007, we set out to attend a lighting of the fire ceremony, only it turned out to be so much more. We ended up being a part of an honoring welcome home ceremony. And as it was stated, "we are not guests but hosts." What was so special and significant was that we had a Cayuga Chief and Clan Mother of the Snipe Clan with us to share this rare and special moment. After the ceremony we met a man who invited us back to his home. He said he had something to share with us, "a burial site." So all twenty of us jumped into our vehicles and followed him into the mountain where he was greeted by his wife and daughter. When we jumped out of the vehicles, we were told to make ourselves at home. It is funny because we all walked towards the forest. Staying along the tree lines, we got to see the beauty that surrounds Joe’s life with a very small man made lake and plenty of trees. What more could one ask for?

Lori, Edward and I walked to the right and some to the left of the tree line, while others went a different route. We walked on a hill about six feet high. As we walked towards the top, the ground felt weird. We had the feeling as if we would fall into a whole, but as we reached the top, we never gave it too much thought other than the commmenting on how we felt. After looking around from the top of the hill, we left and went to find the others.

We followed a four wheeler trail and it was so amazing what we saw. Our people standing around while listening to Joe tell them stories of the land. When we got there he was saying, Archeologists and hydro wanted to go on the land and he said, "No. This land is undisturbed and it is going to stay that way. I may hold the deed to this land but it is yours. Ever since I have been cleaning the land, I found nothing but bullet casings throughout." At this point, a feeling overcame me and I started crying and I had to walk away from the group, but as I walked I felt I was carrying something heavy and I felt tired and weary and all I wanted to do is drop to my knees and cry. I wouldn’t allow myself and walked back to the group and they asked if I was all right and I said, "No, because I still felt this way." We started back to the yard and I went into the house and this is when the feeling left me.

We all sat around outside talking and listening to Joe of his stories he needed to share with us of our forefathers of the day. Lori said to me, "Look over there where we were on that hill, the trees." I looked and said; "The trees are dancing." All of a sudden he announced it was time to take a walk before it got dark. We followed him and never asked questions as I thought we had already saw the burial where the feeling overcame me. I knew where we were going the minute he started to walk towards the direction of the hill, only it wasn’t a hill at all. It is a mound, a mound that holds our people’s souls, and we now know why we felt the way we did. At this point Joe said, "There are still old trails in the hills and the massacre happened up there," pointing north of where we were standing.

We never wanted to leave but it was time to go back home as we had a long way to travel and it was getting late and we needed to get the kids home for school the next day. Joe said, we were welcome there anytime we can camp in the summer, visit and it was our place to call home.

October 20th, 2007 Joey and I went back to Cayuga Lake; in fact there was a total of thirty of us. We were joined a few Cayuga Chief’s, a Cayuga Clan Mother and one male and female Cayuga Faith Keeper. Upon arrival, we jumped out of our vehicles and ran into the house to start breakfast, as everyone was hungry. Because there was so many of us, we went right into preparing lunch. University students visited us with the escort of a man we came to admire. His name is Professor Jack Russin, a man who brought us home. Jack explained why he came up with the idea in 2001 to purchase the 70 acres and give it back to the Cayuga Nation. He said as a Jew descendent he knows what its like to have genocide committed against a nation. When he combed the area, he like others where led to believe that we didn’t exist in this part of the world. That was the whole idea of Washington through Sullivan why they called it, "Scorch the Earth." So that it appeared to the newcomers, there was nobody occupying the land ~ ever! So he studied the area and discovered the many untold lies, in fact the plaques boast what these men did to our people. No doubt in my mind that while these facts stay buried and these plaques stay up are in fact telling the citizens that it is okay what they have done and our ancestors will never rest because of it, nor will we.

Jack also explained that the house we were in was in deed Sullivan’s although he never really lived in it and was built in 1830. Across the road sat a garage where they held people hostage and underneath the garage was an under ground railroad where the slaves fled Canada. What a history lesson!

At this point we went on tour with Jack. About one third of a mile up the road from the farm is a gully that is as high as 300 feet and as long as five miles long. We walked a good part of this gully. The very gully where our women hid with the children when we were attacked. It is a beautiful sight and no doubt when there is more water running through it, is it more spectacular than one could only imagine. We climbed the hills and the children ran, it surely was an adventure for us all, even the Chief’s, Clan Mother and Faith Keeper’s enjoyed themselves. At super we treated them as they should so be treated from time to time. We placed their meals in front of them so they were eating together and afterwards gave them their desert. When all was said and done and there bellies full, a fiddle and banjo player entertained them. What a remarkable sight. It is only something you would read about, but only it is real and I am so glad to witness and be a part of it.

We then went to what is called, "Peach Farm." This is where we lived. At one time Jack said, there were 14 Longhouses and 1,500 peach trees that went up in flames. However, one tree still stands over 500 years old in the middle of what he referred to as council. The two bottoms of the branched are in a hugging motion as if they are hugging our children. And it did as we got the children to gather around and hold hands and hug the tree. As I stood there taking pictures, I had to wipe away the tears from my eyes, as I was overwhelmed with everything I was taking in. Jack also told us that Cayuga Lake is as 600 feet deep, talk about natural resources. Off to the side at about five feet and way above ground is a land fill site where different states want to come in and dump. This is all seeping into the lake, which sits a lot lower than the site. My question is, "Why don’t some people care about the disasters that is being created by greed. I remember at one time when we could swim in the grand river and that wasn’t that long ago and now I wouldn’t recommend Bush or Harper to bathe in there.

Late Friday November 9th, 2007 Claudia, Joey and I went back to Cayuga Lake as well as 10 others to help weather proof the house for winter. Saturday after breakfast we began cleaning the yard while Lori, Theresa and myself cleaned inside. We washed the floors, walls and curtains. Not to mention rearranged the pictures on the wall. We also got rid of t.v.’s that didn’t work and an old couch. When we were done it not only had the homey look but the feeling as well. Dan was quite pleased. Sunday we set out on our was back home but not before we stop over and join our brothers and sisters in Canadagua for the parade and social. We surely never bet on the experience we were about to be a part of. It was surely a great thing to be a part of. I learned that Washington believes in the Treaties although they never show it but they send over what is called treaty cloth to commemorate the occasion and we got to see the copy of the Canadagua Treaty. It sits in a frame about 3 feet by 5 feet and is protected.

Later we ate together and had a social where we danced until 9 p.m. Then it was time to come home, our second home.

Last weekend a few went back over to finish weather proofing the house. I was told Birdie who is a Cayuga Heron Clan Mother was crying because she sees how dedicated we really are. Carl also commented of how happy he is to see us home.

Until next time!
Love Always Mom

P/S My life experiences I love sharing them with you. The Sullivan Campaign against the Indians started July 31st, 1779. The march began August 9th, 1779 and was over September 24th, 1779.

George Washington ordered two Generals, John Sullivan and James Clinton, and more than 6,200 men – roughly 25% of the entire rebel army – to clear-cut and burn these resisting or then neutral Iroquois nations from one of Earth’s most fertile regions. They should "not merely be overrun," Washington insisted, "but destroyed." And England, for its part, couldn't and/or wouldn't send forces enough to defend its Indian allies' homelands against the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign.

The Sullivan-Clinton Campaign was the largest expedition ever before mounted against native North Americans. It targeted the Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy: specifically, the Seneca, Cayuga and Onondaga nations. Indeed, the fall of Iroquois is forever entwined with the Birth of the American Republic. The instructions also suggested that small parties be sent out to destroy villages out of the main line of March, to avoid diverting the main force.

The most expedient means of accomplishing this end would be a strike into the heart Iroquois. The result was a three-pronged attack by the Continental Army under the joint command of Generals John Sullivan and James Clinton. Sullivan was to advance from Pennsylvania with 2500 troops while Clinton was to come down from New York with 1500 soldiers. An additional 600 troops under the command of Colonel Daniel Brodhead was to set out from Pittsburgh and join the invading army as they drove towards the main Iroquois staging area at Niagara. By August of 1779, the Sullivan-Clinton campaign was slowly making its way through the Iroquois Confederation, encountering little or no resistance but inflicting heavy damage to the Iroquois agricultural economy. Following the explicit orders from General Washington, the Americans burned every town and village they came upon.

After five days in April and four weeks in September, almost all of Iroquois was reduced to shattered hearths and fields of fire. According to Sullivan’s Official Report, the army burned 40 towns and their surrounding fields; consuming at least 160,000 bushels of corn, "with a vast quantity of vegetables of every kind." A study (1969) by Anthony Wallace concluded that the Campaign destroyed 500 dwellings and nearly 1 million bushels of corn. Drawing on extensive records, a history (1978) by Allan Eckert estimated at least 50 towns and nearly 1,200 houses were burned. All this before the worst winter in recorded memory.

Sullivan considered his expedition an outstanding success. He boasted to Congress that "every creek and River has been traced, & the whole Country explored in search of Indian settlements." He bragged that there was "not a single town left in the Country of the five nations." Colonel Daniel Broadhead, the leader of a smaller expedition up the Allegheny, congratulated Sullivan on his success noting, "the wolves of the forest will have sufficient cause to howl as they will be quite destitute of food."

Washington was pleased for the western army had completed its goals. It was an unusual campaign, in that it was waging total war against an entire people, not just an enemy army. One officer noted "The nests are destroyed, but the birds are still on the wing." Sullivan's expedition could have been delayed, yet they passed virtually unmolested through Indian Territory.

Washington had assumed that Sullivan would be on the march by early June and outlined the mission objectives for the "total destruction and devastation" of the Iroquois villages so "that the country may not merely be overrun but destroyed." The villages would be burned, the crops destroyed, and as many prisoners as possible to be taken as hostages to guarantee any settlement. Washington warned Sullivan not to accept any offer of peace before "the total ruin of their settlements was effected." He feared that the Iroquois would "amuse" them with insincere peace proposals to spare their homelands. "Our future security," Washington wrote, would rest on the "Terror" inflicted upon them. He urged Sullivan to act aggressively and employ his men "in a loose and dispersed a way ... It should be impressed upon the upon the minds of the men where ever they have the opportunity to rush on with the war whoop and fixed bayonet, " to "discourage and terrify" their foes.

The Sullivan-Clinton Campaign was the largest expedition ever before mounted against native North Americans. It targeted the Iroquois Six Nations Confederacy:

specifically, the Seneca, Cayuga and Onondaga nations. Indeed, the fall of Iroquois is forever entwined with the Birth of the American Republic.

The year was 1779. In the middle of the American Revolution, George Washington ordered two Generals, John Sullivan and James Clinton, and more than 6,200 men – roughly 25% of the entire rebel army – to clear-cut and burn these resisting or then neutral Iroquois nations from one of Earth’s most fertile regions. They should "not merely be overrun," Washington insisted, "but destroyed." And England, for its part, couldn't and/or wouldn't send forces enough to defend its Indian allies' homelands against the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign.

While these figures vary, all show an earth-shaking defeat for America’s native peoples that cannot truly be expressed in numbers; one that still lingers today - often hidden in plain sight or deep in people's souls. Against this background, a hard-won foothold in NY and Rebirth of Iroquois have been well underway...

Who's who: The Key Players

For a "Who's Who" of the Sullivan/Clinton saga:

SULLIVAN/CLINTON AT-A-GLANCE: THE KEY PLAYERS Brant, Joseph (Mohawk) The most prominent Iroquois military leader. Allied through blood ties with the English, Brant led many raids against Yankee frontier settlements and was widely called "The Monster Brant" by his American foes.

Bolton, Mason (English) Principal commander of Ft. Niagara, the main English outpost which served as a staging and supply area for Iroquois/Tory raids on American frontier settlements, and refugee center in the aftermath of Sullivan-Clinton.

Boyd, Thomas (American) Lt. Boyd and Sgt. Michael Parker’s controversial capture and death at the hands of the Seneca is arguably the most visible reminder of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign. There are memorial sites in Groveland, Cuylerville and Rochester's Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Brodhead, Daniel (American) Commander ordered by Washington to destroy a series of towns of the Allegheny Seneca and their allies, on his way to link up with Sullivan and Clinton. That link didn't occur, but Col. Brodhead’s 605 men destroyed a series of towns like Jenuchshadago (Burnt House) in August 1779.

Butler, John (English) England's main field operative in Iroquois country. Defeated at Newtown by Sullivan/Clinton, he organized a Loyalist force called Butler's Rangers. With them, he and his son, Walter Butler, and different groups of Indian allies, attacked Yankee frontier settlements. Dispossessed of thousands of acres in the Mohawk Valley, Butler led the successful English and Indian attack and burning of the American settlement at Wyoming Valley, and its aftermath in the Wyoming Massacre. (See the Main Events page).

Butler, Walter (English) Joined with Brant and other English forces to successfully attack and burn the American settlement at Cherry Valley. Son of John Butler. He was known for extreme cruelty in his treatment of defeated American settlers.

Butler, Zebulon (American) The military leader of Wyoming Valley (Pennsylvania) and a survivor of the Yankee defeat and subsequent killings.

Butler, William (American) During Sullivan/Clinton, Col. Wm. Butler led the revenge burning of the Cayuga villages and capital, Goi-O-Guen. Ever since, the Cayuga's continue to press land claims in the courts, but are still landless in New York State today.

Cayuga Known as "Guyohkohnyoh," or The People of the Great Swamp. Sided with the English during the American Revolutionary War.

Clinton, James (American) Born in New Windsor, New York, the General was co-leader of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign. He was the brother of Gov. George Clinton and father of future governor DeWitt Clinton, the champion of the near-future Erie Canal (1823).

Cornplanter (Seneca) As a key Seneca war chief, Ganiodieu first fought against the Yankees in the Revolutionary War, then pragmatically adapted to their rule and fought with America against England in the War of 1812.

Gai-ya-sot-ha (Seneca) Great orator and sage voice at the Council fire of the tribes of the Ohio region. Uncle and mentor to Handsome Lake and Cornplanter. Perhaps the key Iroquois diplomat in councils with English and American officials.

Haldimand, Frederick (English) The overall commander of English forces in North America during the time of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign. The General failed to supply the men and materials required to equalize the large Yankee force.

Haudenosaunee The Indians’ name for the Iroquois Six Nations: it means "People of the Longhouse," the Iroquois’ signature domicile.

Jemison, Mary (Scotch-Irish/Seneca) The famed "white woman of the Genesee." She was captured by Indians, then became wife to a Delaware, then Seneca chief and bore six children. Her accounts of her life and Sullivan-Clinton experiences are covered in James Seaver's A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison (1824).

Johnson's (English) Sir William Johnson, Guy Johnson and John Johnson - had an unrivaled legacy of close ties with the Iroquois. Sir William intermarried with the family of Joseph Brant, and, for years, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Northern Department, was England's most potent influence on Iroquois politics, until his death in 1774.

Kirkland, Samuel (American) The Rev. Samuel Kirkland was a Presbyterian missionary among the Iroquois Indians (1764-1808). He helped persuade many Oneida's and Tuscarora's to assist the Americans during the Revolutionary War. He was a guide and chaplain on Sullivan's Expedition. After the war, he attended several treaty negotiations in which the Iroquois relinquished substantial amounts of their land. (Bio by Christine S. Patrick.)

Mohawk known as "Kanienkahagen," or People of the Flint. They were/remain the designated Keepers of the Iroquois Eastern Door. Sided with the English during the American Revolutionary War.

Onondaga Known as "Onundagaono," or People of the Hills. They were/remain the designated Keepers of the Iroquois Central Council Fire. Sided with the English during the American Revolutionary War.

Oneida known as "Onayotekaono," meaning The People of the Upright Stone. Largely sided with the Americans during the American Revolutionary War.

Red Jacket A principal Seneca sachem (chief) and political rival to Mohawk war leader Joseph Brant. Though Canoga, his home village, was burned by Col. Henry Dearborn's troops, Red Jacket was fast to accommodate to Yankee postwar rule.

Schuyler, Philip (American) Son of a noted New York landed and political family, he was an early proponent of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, a member of the War Board of the Continental Congress, a US Senator, and a prime mover of postwar Oneida land dispossessions. Also, he was father-in-law to Alexander Hamilton.

Seneca known as "Onondowahgah,"or People of the Great Hill. They were/remain the designated Keepers of the Iroquois Western Door. Sided with the English during the American Revolution.

Six Nations A common name for the members of the Iroquois League (or Iroquois Confederacy), which Indians call The Haudenosaunee, or People of the Longhouse.

Sullivan, John (American) Born in Somerville, New Hampshire, the General carried out Washington's orders to invade and destroy the Seneca, Cayuga and Onondaga homelands. He returned to New Hampshire and became its first president, then served in the new Congress.

Tuscarora known as "Ska-Ruh-Reh," or Shirt Wearing People. Driven out of the Carolinas by losing a war with settlers (1711-1713), they were the last to join the Iroquois Confederacy. Largely sided with the Americans during the American Revolution.

Van Schaick, Goose (American) Under Clinton's command, Col. Van Schaick laid waste to Onondaga villages in April 1779. It permanently removed the military threat from the east to Sullivan-Clinton's subsequent operations in September 1779.

Washington, George (American) The Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and America’s first president. In 1778, the General first asked Congress for almost $1 million in financing for Sullivan Clinton; then he planned and ordered the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign in 1779.

The Marching Orders

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.

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 be merely overrun, but destroyed.

Orders of George Washington to General John Sullivan at Head-Quarters May 31, 1779

They make solitude, which they call peace - Tacitus

We moved, on the next day, to Chinese, crossing in our path a deep creek and the Little Seneca river, and after marching six miles we reached the castle, which consisted of 128 houses, mostly very large and elegant. The town was beautifully situated, almost encircled with a clear flat which extends for a number of miles, where the most extensive fields of corn were, and every kind of vegetable that can be conceived. The whole army was immediately engaged in destroying the crops. The corn was collected and burned in houses and kilns, that the enemy might not reap the least advantage from it, which method we have pursued in every other place... Every creek and river has been traced, and the whole country explored in search of Indian settlements; and I am well persuaded, that, except one... there is not a single town left in the country of the five nations.

General John Sullivan
Report to Congress
Tioga, New York, September 30, 1779

[I write of] the great Loneliness which is creeping into my Soul with every hour and every mile which separates me from you. I really feel guilty as I applied the torch to huts that were Homes of Content until we ravagers came spreading desolation everywhere... Our mission here is to destroy but may it not transpire that we pillagers are carelessly sowing the seeds of Empire?

American Officer Letter to His Fiancé before His Death in Battle Sullivan-Clinton Campaign September 1779

When your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you Town Destroyer: and to this day when that name is heard our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of their mothers. Our counselors and warriors are men, and cannot be afraid; but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, and desire that it may be buried so deep as to be heard no more.

Seneca Chief Cornplanter to George Washington 1790

The immediate purpose was to give protection to the defenseless frontier settlements. This was to be accomplished by destroying the Indian villages and sources of food supply, and by driving the Indians westward and northward.

A second objective was to cut off the food supply of corn and dried vegetables and fruits, which had been going from the Indians to the Loyalists and British for waging the war.

A third part of the plan was to capture the strong forts at Oswego and Niagara, which were storehouses of the enemy and bases for military operations.

The most important objective has been entirely overlooked by most historians... Washington and other leaders saw that independence with a mere fringe of land along the seacoast would scarcely be worth the cost of the struggle if the rest of the continent to the westward and northward remained in the hands of the motherland. Washington knew by actual experience the potential wealth of the fertile regions of the interior of the continent. He realized that when the time came to discuss terms of peace that rich area could be secured for the young nation only if it was in possession of the Americans.

Hence in the Sullivan Clinton Expedition an Inland Empire was the stake for which Washington was playing and not merely the punishment of dusky foes on our border.

Alexander C. Flick
Historian of the State of New York 1929

After this transaction, the voice of the birds from every quarter cried out:

"You have lost your country. You have lost you country. You've lost your country! You have acted unwisely and done wrong." And what increased the alarm was that the birds who made this cry were white birds.

Good Peter, Oneida Leader
Denounces NY Gov. George Clinton
to US Commissioner Pickering
April 1792

Special thanks to Teresa Anahuy First Persons News for the lead.

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November 2007 News Reports

Last updated on Nov 28, 2007