Butler's 4

Butler’s4 Earl Plato U.E.
Ernest Cruikshank, as stated before, did not footnote his Butler’s Rangers book, No headings. No chapters. No index. But at least it is his historical expertise that chronicled the Rangers’ history. As Butler Ranger descendants we are thankful for his efforts. I will quote from his book about two incidents. Let us look at some of the American viewpoints about this revolutionary era.
Writer’s Note: In a previous column I used the word “myth” to describe some of Butler Ranger activiries. Wrong. This was war and Butler’s Ranngers were a devastating force. No myths. Their attacks were documented by both sides - British and American. My contention is that many of the American writers were not always fair in their assessement of the Rangers.
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E.R. Eastman, an American historian writer in the 1940’s, told about Butler’s Rangers and Joseph Brant’s Mohawks. He gives reasons for the American revolutionists to send a mission in 1779 against the Tories (Butler Rangers) and the Mohawks. I quote part of his foreword to his book, The Destroyers. Eastman is one of many Americans who have a one-sided view of the British forces of the time. Remember “War is war!” Eastman wrote, “ The massacres at Wyoming, Pennsylvania and at Cherry Valley, New York, during 1778 climaxed a long series of atrocities by the Indians and Tories. For several years they had descended upon lonely cabins, burning them and murdering the settlers or taking them prisoners. Many of the frontier homes were defenseless because the able-bodied men were with Washington’s army fighting the British.”
Writer’s note: Yes, attacks there were by Butler and Brant. Planned attacks against rebel strong holds occurred. Remember the Colony of New York was like a “bread basket” to the Americans. Wheat and other grains helped supply Washington’s army. Keep the settlers from planting or harvesting crops and seriously affect the rebel cause. So the stories of massacres helped to inflame the Americans. Walter Butler was portrayed now as a monster. Eliminate the Tories and Indians. That was the plan in 1779. Joseph Brant and his loyal Mohawks had experienced the treachery of some of the Americans such as Klock at the outset of the Revolution. A trap had been set but Brant had escaped. Now his ancestral lands were being taken over by the Americans. Systematically the anti-British forces drove the Mohawks westward after destroying their villages. Would they resist and fight for their centuries held lands? Of course. Cruikshank does not mention the justified fervor of the Mohawks in trying to retain their lands. Just as my ancestors hated to relinquish their Mohawk and HudsonValley lands so did Brant and his loyal Mohawks. I don’t intend to forget that our lands were seized through rebellion. Never any compensation to the Indians or Butler’s Rangers for lost lands. How about it Americans ? You drove us out. How about a measly $1000 an acre for our losses? That’s a steal, eh? Next. Wyoming Valley and Cherry Valley. Massacres?