Springfield, New York

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Springfield, New York

SPRINGFIELD, NEW YORK. May 1778. In the spring of 1778, after the repulse of St. Leger's expedition, Joseph Brant returned with his Indian troops and a large number of Loyalists to Oquaga. After sending out parties to attack isolated farms, he carried out his first large-scale raid in the Mohawk Valley in May. His objective was Springfield, at the head of Lake Otsego, a little less than ten miles west northwest of Cherry Valley and somewhat more than that distance south of Fort Herkimer. Brant took the town without loss of life and burned all the houses but one, moving all the women and children into that house for safety. Several men and a considerable amount of property were evacuated to Oquaga, while eighty refugees from the town made their way to Schenectady.

SEE ALSO Oquaga; St. Leger's Expedition.

                             revised by Michael Bellesiles

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Springfield, New York

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