Nicholas Herkimer was an American Revolutionary officer. He was appointed brigadier general of militia by the New York State Provincial Congress during the Revolutionary War.
Background
Nicholas Herkimer was born in 1728 near the present town of Herkimer, New York, United States, the son of Johan Jost and Katharine Herkimer, Palatine German immigrants from the parish of Leimen in the Palatinate. He was born in the vicinity of German Flats in the Mohawk Valley of the Colony of New York, and was the elder brother of Loyalist Captain Johan Jost Herkimer.
Career
Nicholas Herkimer became acquainted with woodcraft and was a lieutenant of militia in the French and Indian War, defending Fort Herkimer against an attack by Indians. He acquired moderate wealth, and as the Revolution drew on, he became chairman of the Committee of Safety of Tryon County (Mohawk Valley). Already a colonel, he was made brigadier-general of militia, charged with the local defense against Indian and Tory attacks. The Valley was badly divided in sentiment, and nowhere in the state was the feeling between Whigs and Loyalists so bitter. It was a civil war, separating neighbors and even members of families.
In 1776 Herkimer led a force against Sir John Johnson. The crisis came in the following year, with Burgoyne’s invasion by way of Lake Champlain, and, a more immediate danger to the Valley, St. Leger’s band of Tories and Indians advancing on Fort Schuyler by way of Oswego. Herkimer issued a proclamation July 17, calling out the militia, and later appointed a rendezvous at Fort Dayton (Herkimer). Starting from his home near Little Falls, he collected his men, about eight hundred in number, and marched to the relief of Fort Schuyler. As he neared the fort, Herkimer attempted to arrange with its commandant for a combined attack on St. Leger and a sortie from the fort. Near the modern village of Oriskany his army was ambushed in a heavily wooded country whose chief feature was a ravine. The hostile detachment, mainly of Tories and Indians, was commanded by Butler and the famous chief Brant.
The battle in the woods was long and desperate, and especially bitter because it bore the character of civil warfare, though the exaggerated accounts of extreme and gruesome ferocity are unfounded. During the fight, which was temporarily suspended by a sharp thunderstorm, Herkimer was severely wounded in the leg. The familiar story tells how he was placed at the foot of a tree and thence directed the struggle. The Americans fell back and retreated down the valley, taking Herkimer with them to his home. He died less than a fortnight after the battle as the result of an unskilful amputation of his leg. The loss of the enemy is estimated as between seventy and a hundred. The Americans had probably more than two hundred killed, and almost as many wounded or taken as prisoners. It has been variously described as a drawn battle; a British victory, because the Americans retreated; an American victory, on account of its effect on the larger issues, St. Leger’s repulse and Burgoyne’s failure.
Achievements
Connections
Herkimer was twice married. His first wife was Lany Dygert (Tygert) and the second was Myra Dygert (Tygert), a niece of the first. He had no children by either marriage.