HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 357 



St Leger would not consent. The Indians began to drop off, 

 and the chiefs advised a return to Oswego for heavier guns for 

 a renewal of the siege. In the sally from the fort Aug. 6, their 

 camp had been plundered, and, having gone into l)attle almost 

 naked, at night they had nothing to cover them, nor could the 

 British then repair their loss. The Americans were not without 

 anxiety, and Colonel AVillett and another officer went for aid 

 Aug. 10. General Arnold rapidly advanced, and the siege was 

 abandoned Aug. 22, the retreat quickly becoming a flight, the 

 Indians themselves adding to the fears of the troops. 



Colonel Claus had a small opinion of St Leger and complained 

 of the trouble about Indian supplies he had then and afterward. 

 He stayed some time in Oswego and sent thence three good 

 officers to live with the Cayugas and Senecas. He thought but 

 for his presence at Oswego and Brant's management, the Iro- 

 quois would have taken no part at this time. They said they 

 were called to a council and not to war. Brant w^as constantly 

 busy with the Six Nations and he thought they would take the 

 field. He afterward complained of Carleton's conduct to him and 

 the Mohawk refugees in Canada. Carleton proposed giving 

 their care to one of Major Campbell's deputies, who was one of 

 those whose harsh treatment drove the Indians from Burgoyne's 

 army, thus emboldening the Americans. June 24 the New York 

 Assembly made a congratulatory address to some Seneca chiefs 

 : who were returning from Washington's headquarters, and who 

 soon became openly hostile. 



Some doul)tful stories were current. Colonel Johnson heard 

 j that, after the battle of Bennington, the Americans burned the 

 j Mohawk villages, and he hoped to profit by their resentment. 

 I It was also said that, after the battle of Oriskany, the Six Nations 

 I burned an Oneida village, destroyed the crops, and killed and 

 1 carried away their cattle. It was added that the Oneidas avenged 

 I themselves on Brant's family and sister at Canajoharie, robbing 

 \ and driving them aAvay. They then went to the lower Mohawk 

 castle and did the same with those whose men were in the king's 

 ; service. The simple truth seems to be that Molly Brant now 



