The Failure to Ally with the Seneca in the Revolutionary War

The Seneca, the Keepers of the Western Door, were among the greatest warriors of the Iroquois Nation. The Iroquois had only 2 hereditary war Chieftainships, and both these titles belonged to the Seneca. The Iroquois recognized the Seneca would be the first Nation to face danger of an attack from the frontier

In the early days of the Revolutionary War, The Iroquois Nation did not immediately unify behind the British forces. The Mohawk, the other “older brother” in the Iroquois Nation, formed war parties under John Bryant and John Butler, and began to raid the northern Colonies. The Oneida (one of the “younger brothers” of the Iroquois Nation, the other being the Cayugas), on the other hand, immediately allied with the Colonial forces, supplying scouts for General Washington. The Seneca pledged neutrality, which was also the official policy of the Iroquois.

In the summer of 1777, Col. John Butler called a council, which was attended by the Seneca. He found the Seneca were almost unanimously against joining the hostilities. Col. Butler reported after many days of Feasting, rum and presents, the Iroquois agreed to join with the British Forces. The Oneida, however, continued to fight with the Colonial Forces, and the Seneca remained divided.

A popular Orator and War chief, Great Tree, along with several of his warriors, visited General Washington in Philadelphia in the summer of 1778. Great Tree was willing to attach his warriors as scouts to the Colonial Forces, along with the Oneida, who were still honoring their agreement to fight for the colonies. For the summer of 1778, Great Tree and his warriors did in fact move with General Washington's army. Late in the Summer, Washington sent Great Tree back among his people to attempt to sway their feelings of neutrality and aid the Colonial Cause.