The Battle of Oriskany & Herkimer’s Militia

History & Genealogy program for adults. Registration is required and closes November 15, 2026 at 1:00 pm. There are 10 seats remaining.

The Battle of Oriskany was fought on August 6, 1777, on the military road between the Oneida village of Oriska and Fort Stanwix (Schuyler), near present-day Rome, New York. American Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer led a volunteer force of 800 militia, joined by over 60 Oneida warriors, to relieve the fort, which was under siege by British-allied forces composed of British soldiers, Jägers, and local Loyalists, joined by Mohawk and Seneca allies. This unique battle of largely volunteer forces would later be billed as the “bloodiest battle of the Revolution.”

Alexis W. Albright is the historian for Oneida County and the Village of Oriskany. Albright has served as curator of the Oriskany Museum since 2018. She holds degrees in Liberal Arts and History from Mohawk Valley Community College and Clarkson University, respectively, specializing in genealogy and nineteenth-century American history. Prior to returning home to Oriskany, she served as editor for the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society in Huntsville, AL.

Reasonable accommodations are available by request. Please contact the library directly.