[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    SALUTE TO ORISKANY'S VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______


                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 1994

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, Oriskany, a small village in Oneida 
County, NY, derives its name from the Iroquois word meaning, the 
``place where the road is submerged.'' Its unique story would suffer 
the same fate if not for the heroic efforts of its local volunteers.
  In 1991, the State of New York closed the Oriskany Battlefield, the 
site of the bloodiest encounter of the Revolutionary War. Undeterred, 
local volunteers formed an Oriskany Battlefield Committee, and with 
their own scant resources, created a partnership to maintain it.
  They not only cut the lawns and staff the visitor center, but guard 
against the taking of artifacts. They've also enlisted the assistance 
of professionals worldwide to apply the latest technology to discover 
the battlefield's hidden secrets and stories.
  Their work is groundbreaking, and offers other communities across 
America a blueprint for reviving heritage, instilling community pride, 
discovering diverse local talents, and working together to create 
economic growth and new opportunities.
  The group, composed of government officials, Oneida Indians, 
historians, teachers, engineers, veterans, and others, firmly believes 
that this important piece of Americana should not die in neglect and 
misunderstanding. It's too important not to preserve for future 
generations and the survival of democracy.
  This Saturday, on August 6, the volunteers are commemorating the 
battle with a solemn wreath laying ceremony. The public is also welcome 
to participate in the day's activities, which include: Iroquois dances 
and story telling, an encampment, and an exchange of gifts honoring the 
Oneida Indian Nation and the sacrifices of the people of the valley.
  The Battle of Oriskany is so important to us today because it reveals 
the savage and brutal face of America's first civil war.
  On the 6th of August 1777, the local militia and its Oneida Indian 
allies gathered at General Herkimer's home and marched to relieve the 
siege at Fort Stanwix. The fort was under heavy attack by the British 
and their Tory, Indian, and Hessian allies. The militia was ambushed on 
the military road that wound through the narrow forested ravine at 
Oriskany by a cleverly concealed enemy detachment. In this epic battle 
on the frontier, brothers, neighbors, and clansmen annihilated each 
other in relentless, desperate hand to hand combat.
  The battle was significant, representing the breakup of the Iroquois 
Confederacy, the eventual expulsion of British forces from New York, 
and continuous suffering and privation as most of the area's population 
was either dead or displaced by war's end.
  By working with the local Northern Frontier Project, the volunteers 
have been able to better understand and share the story of the region's 
government.
  They've managed to work with local colleges and universities to host 
town meetings and collect data. They've promoted the revival of their 
stories by providing opportunities for local storytellers, historians, 
film makers, and authors. They've relied on national and foreign 
military intelligence to produce creative mapping and archaeology of 
the battlefield without disrupting the site. They've also worked with 
foreign embassies, the State of New York, and many others to discover 
the truth about a battle that decimated almost half of an 800-man 
militia.
  As a result, the group has produced substantial new scholarship and 
is forcing a new interpretation of the course of the battle. They've 
shared their findings with the National Park Service, which is now 
planning an intensive study of the site to help the community chart 
options to protect and enhance the battlefield, and develop initiatives 
to make a closer association between the area's many historic sites. 
This may attract tourism and economic development to help revive the 
area's communities in transition.
  The volunteers are mobilizing all their resources, defending their 
way of life, and preserving memories that might otherwise be lost 
forever. They're finding that this work is exciting and infectious, and 
providing new opportunities for the future. Their efforts are inspiring 
and vital to all who cherish democracy and the values and attitudes 
upon which our Nation was formed--and upon which it must survive.
  The volunteers are: Sandy Lupa of Westmoreland; Joe Robertaccio of 
Utica; Don Rothdiener of Oriskany; Chief Robert Callahan and the 
Oriskany Police Department; Francis Smith of Oriskany; Gregory Smith of 
Whitesboro; Dennis Smith of Whites Town; Douglas Rondeau of Whitesboro; 
Robert Cieslak of Yorkville; Frank Picente of Utica; Robert Henley of 
Oriskany; Robert Matteson of Rome; Alan Sterling of Klockville; Jon 
Austin of Rome; Douglas Singleton of Rome; Don Benson and the Oriskany 
Masonic Lodge; the Rome Moose Lodge; Lorena Jensen of Remsen; William 
Barry Sr. of Whitesboro; The Town Board of WhitesTown; Ed Kupiec of 
Barneveld; the Gregory Williams family; Anthony Tommell of 
Westmoreland; Gary Warshefski of Rome; Terry Road of Utica; Assemblyman 
Dave Townsend; Senator Bill Sears; and all those others who have given 
of their time and energy to help preserve and protect the battlefield 
and its memory.

                          ____________________