Signal for Independence - New York Revolutionary Wars

Engraving depicts the Battle of Newtown, New York, September 29, 1779

Chemung County Historical Society

Recipient: American Battlefield Trust

Amount: $74,508

The state of New York was strategically important to both American and British forces during the American Revolution, because it contained the second largest city in North America, good harbors, and an excellent network of waterways to move troops and supplies on. Nearly one-third of all the engagements fought during the Revolutionary War were fought in New York. Three of which were the important battles of Oriskany, Bennington, and Newtown. In early 1777, the British embarked on a campaign aimed at ultimately cutting off New England, the birthplace of the Revolution, from the rest of the United States. As part of the British strategy, General Sir William Howe was to march troops north from New York City, while Generals John Burgoyne and Barry St. Leger moved south from Canada and the Mohawk Valley. This strategy backfired as British troops encountered heavy resistance from Continental forces.

At Oriskany, the British suffered a defeat against an allied force of Patriot militia and Oneida warriors, while at Bennington and Newtown, American troops defeated British forces consisting of regular infantry, loyalist militia, Hessian mercenaries, and their Iroquois allies. Suffering these losses to both men and morale put a major strain on General Burgoyne’s army, but he chose to continue the British campaign towards Saratoga. A decision that would result in the British Army’s major defeat at the Battles of Saratoga, which are widely considered a “turning point” of the Revolution.

With the support of a Battlefield Interpretation Grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, the American Battlefield Trust will develop extensive digital interpretation for these three battlefields to support New York State’s park system, and share new historical narratives relating to Native Americans, women, and the individual soldiers impacted by these historic events. The content presented will encourage visitors to deepen their understanding of the American Revolution and consider new information on the impacts to local populations. The American Battlefield Trust aims to use newly identified approaches to illustrate the significant impact of New York’s Revolutionary War battlefields on the nation’s founding in time for America’s 250th anniversary.

Battlefield Interpretation Grants from the NPS American Battlefield Protection Program empower preservation partners nationwide to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation – to inspire wonder, understanding and empathy at the places that witnessed some of our nation’s most challenging events. In addition, the program administers three other grant opportunities: the Battlefield Land Acquisition, Preservation Planning, and Battlefield Restoration Grants. This financial assistance generates community-driven stewardship of historic resources at the state, tribal and local levels.

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