Nicholas Herkimer

Herkimer, Nicholas (1728–77) Revolutionary army officer, born near what is now Herkimer, New York. He was wounded while on a mission to rescue Fort Schuyler, which was besieged by British forces, and died of complications from the resulting leg amputation. Although his troops had been forced to retreat, they had successfully slowed the advance of additional British forces and allowed American relief troops to reach Fort Schuyler in timely fashion.

Nicholas Herkimer 1728-77, American Revolutionary general. He was born in a German colony near the present town of Herkimer, N.Y. He served in the French and Indian War and was appointed (1776) brigadier general in the New York militia. In 1777 in the Saratoga campaign , Herkimer was leading a relief party to the Americans besieged by General St. Leger at Fort Stanwix when at Oriskany Creek they were ambushed by a force of Loyalists and Native Americans. Herkimer was mortally wounded, and his force had to retreat, but St. Leger later abandoned his plan to join Burgoyne.