First New York Regiment-- Part 5: 1779 Operations in Central New York and Major Watson's Capture

In the spring of 1779, the 1st NY marched west along the Mohawk River and returned again to Fort Schuyler where they relieved Col. Peter Gansevoort's 3rd NY Regiment.  Much of 1779 was spent campaigning against the Iroquois Indian settlements in the area.

This was in the central New York and Finger Lakes region and in response to British and their allied Indian attacks on American settlements in the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys.

On April 18, 1779, the regiment attacked the British garrison at Oswegatchee, west of Fort Ontario, but failed.  On April 21st, Goose Van Schaick led a successful expedition against the Onondaga Indian settlements.

During the rest of the summer, Tory and Indian forces attacked the garrison at Fort Schuyler, capturing several soldiers of the 1st NY including Lt. William Scudder, later reported as a prisoner of war in Canada.  This would most likely be when Major Watson was captured and also held in Canada.

--DaCoot