HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 355 



Indians assembled near Oswego would soon strike a blow. 

 Colonel Claus had been appointed commander of the Indians in 

 Canada, and St Leger was on his way to Oswego, where the Six 

 Nations would join him. In July he said the Indians had made 

 some successful attacks and were ready to join either St Leger 

 or Burgoyne. 



St Leger was joined by Sir John Johnson at Buck island and 

 by 150 Mississagas and Iroquois on the way. The Indians 

 Colonel Claus knew best were with Burgoyne. When St 'Leger 

 reached Oswego, matters were not in a satisfactory condition, 

 and great promises had to be made. Mary Jemison said every 

 warrior received a suit of clothes, brass kettle, tomahawk, gun, 

 powder and money, and a bounty for scalps was offered. Thus 

 richly furnished, she said, the Senecas became " full of the fire 

 of war, and anxious to encounter their enemies." They were 

 told they might smoke their pipes and see these whipped, but 

 instead " they were obliged to fight for their lives, and in the 

 battle were completely beaten." 



Claus met Brant at Oswego, his 300 Indians coming next day. 

 They had been out two months and were destitute, Butler hav- 

 ing given him too little ammunition. When Herkimer visited 

 him with 300 men, with 500 more near by, he caused him to 

 retire by a firm front, though having but 200 men and 20 pounds 

 of powder. Such was his story. 



St Leger intended leaving the lake at Salmon river, but came 

 to Oswego, passing through Oneida lake afterward, Three Rivers 

 being the Indian rendezvous and place of equipment. The army 

 left Oswego July 26, part reaching Fort Stanwix Aug. 2, where 

 the siege began next day. St Leger brought no heavy guns, 

 intending a surprise, but, instead of 60 men in a stockade, his 

 scouts found 600 repairing the old fort, who knew his strength 

 and plans. He had time to get more artillery but would not do 

 it, and the garrison feared no assault. 



The first definite intelligence of his advance was brought by 

 Thomas Spencer, a half-breed Oneida chief. He had been con- 

 cealed at a council at Cassasseny (St Regis), where Colonel Claus 



