Mingo
A Legend Of Slaughter At The Seneca Capital
The legend recounts a fierce battle between the Seneca and Wyandot tribes in 1755 after their alliance against the English at Braddock’s defeat. Upon their return home, tensions reignited. An old sachem, Ogista, intervened to propose a truce, allowing each tribe to select twenty warriors for single combat, culminating in a collective grave for the slain. The conflict ended with Ogista sacrificing his own son, leading to a pact of peace. This legend persisted until the investment of Fort Laurens in 1770, where subsequent violence erupted near the memorial mound.
Native Americans in the Revolutionary War
During the Revolutionary War, Native Americans found themselves in a complex position, with both the British and American sides vying for their allegiance. While the British secured many tribes through established relationships and resources, the Americans attempted to win their favor through treaties and gifts, ultimately failing to make significant impacts. Notably, tribes like the Cherokees and the Six Nations often sided with the British, resulting in violent conflicts and retaliatory expeditions by American forces. The war brought unprecedented cruelty, with massacres affecting both sides and deepening animosities.