NEWS
Allegiance and Loss Part2
Submitted by Louis G Myers
Excerpted from the book: The Blue-Eyed Indians: The Story of Adam Crysler and His Brothers in the Revolutionary War By Don Chrysler - 1999
Chrysler Books, 36920 Lakewood, Zephyrhills, FL 33541
Albany was now a hotbed of Rebellion with the whigs fanning the coals. Like the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, Schoharie Valley was becoming divided. Neighbors whom lived side by side for years , helped each other build their respective properties, families that ate at the same table now split over King or Rebellion eyed each other with suspicion and contempt.
The Haudenosaunee Nation ( Iroquois) became divided as well.
The Presbyterian Minister Samuel Kirkland
convinced his Oneida and Tuscarora followers to side with the Rebels while traditional Oneidas, Tuscarora and the rest of the Haudenoaunee sided with the crown.
Now the rebels formed up into local militias and Loyalists left the Schoharie Valley to form their fighting groups to return to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
Adam Crysler had no reservations of fighting back. He joined Captain Caldwell’s Company of Butler’s Rangers as a Gentleman and later Niagara Indian Department commissioned as a Lieutenant.
He would lead his men into battle with the rebels time and time again with ferociousness that earned him the nickname’s “ The Blue Eyed Indian “ and
“ Scourge of Schoharie Valley “.
He earned these names at such battles:
Destruction of Harpersfield-Aug.1777
The Battle of the Flockey-Aug.1777
The Battle of Cobleskill-May 1778
The Battle of Wyoming Valley-June-1779
to name a few.
Adam’s raids into both the Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys against the rebels caused much panic and fear , not to mention the frustration on the part of the Rebel forces not being able to capture or stop him .
Adam Crysler was regarded as the most Loyalist of the war who had fought tirelessly not only for his family and dear friends of the life he knew, but for the Crown that gave him everything.
References
https://thebrownhomestead.ca/journal/the-schoharie-uprising-and-the-battle-of-the-flockey
The British Campaign of 1777
Volume 1
The St. Leger Expedition