With Musket & Tomahawk Volume II: The Mohawk Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777

With Musket and Tomahawk #2

by Michael O. Logusz

This is the second volume of Michael Logusz’s epic work on the Wilderness War of 1777, in which the British Army, with its German, Loyalist, and Indian auxiliaries, attempted to descend from Canada to sever the nascent American colonies, only to be met by Patriot formations contesting the invasion of their newly declared nation.

In his first volume, on the Saratoga campaign, the author described how Burgoyne’s main thrust was first stalled and then obliterated during its advance down the Hudson River. Burgoyne had hoped to be met by a corresponding British thrust from New York City, but this never materialized, Lord Howe opting to attack Philadelphia instead. But the British had indeed launched a third thrust from the west, embarking from Lake Ontario at Oswego and thence forging its way down the Mohawk Valley.

This third British thrust, under General Barry St. Leger, was perhaps the most terrifying of all, as it overran a sparsely populated wilderness where every man and boy had long needed to bear arms to protect against the ravages of the Iroquois Federation. Yet now the British—imitating the French before them—had made common cause with those same Indians, who now roamed across the frontier as the warpainted spearhead of the Empire’s new attack.

At Fort Stanwix in upstate New York a Patriot (former British) fort held fast, though surrounded by St. Leger’s forces and his Mohawk and Loyalist auxiliaries. A relief column some 800 strong under Nicholas Herkimer attempted to relieve the fort, but it was ambushed en route with most of its men—including the entire male population of several nearby communities—killed or wounded. At this Battle of Oriskany, the basis for the movie “Drums Along the Mohawk,” Herkimer himself was mortally wounded. Fortunately a sally from Fort Stanwix raided the Indian camp during the battle, compelling many of the warriors to desist from annihilating the entire column.

In the end, Fort Stanwix was relieved only when Benedict Arnold—soon to excel at Saratoga, just as he had done at Valcour Island and elsewhere throughout the Revolution—marched his troops through and forced the British to give up their western onslaught.

In this book, as in his highly acclaimed first volume, the author captures the terrain, tactics and terror of this brutal, multifaceted wilderness war as few writers have done before. It was neighbor against neighbor, native Americans on both sides, and European professionals against Colonial Patriots, in a desperate campaign that helped determine America’s fate.

Genres: American Revolution, History, American Revolutionary War, American History

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2012

About the author

MICHAEL O. LOGUSZ has served in both the Regular and Reserve branches of the U.S. Army, most recently during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007–08. He holds a B.A. from Oswego State College and an M.A. in Russian Studies from Hunter College in New York. The author of numerous articles and a previous book on WWII, Lt. Colonel Logusz has personally examined the ground of each battle he describes. He currently lives in Florida.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part II of this trilogy tells the story of the Mohawk Valley Campaign of the Wilderness War of 1777. This campaign was part of British General John Burgoyne's strategy to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. A force under Barry St. Leger was to come down the Mohawk Valley and link up with Burgoyne near Albany. However, he never made it that far, and instead, had to dedicate his forces to a siege of Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lessons from the Amazone

Why did I read this book

I didn't the the writing style or the multiple historical inaccuracies contained in this text.

I wanted to learn more about St Leger's campaign in the Mohawk Valley but found it difficult to finish. I doubt that I will bother to read the third volume of this series.

Ronald

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Disappointing

I had high hopes for this book. The author certainly researched his facts, as they are exhaustive. Sadly, he misses the mark.

He made errors. At one point he claims the surgeon in Ft. Stanwix is laying out his instruments and chloroform; chloroform wasn't invented until some 60 years after the events he was describing.

This sort of error happened many times throughout the book.

The author's grasp of the facts is good.
His grasp of history leaves a lot to be desired.

Grant W. Prime

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Very biased viewpoint, with a number of conjectures which projects the patriotic high-ground without acknowledging the problems of the British forces which other military historians do.

Ms. S.M. Chatterton

[George C. Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

The British campaign to attack thru the Mohawk valley to Albany NY and join up with Gen Burgoyne was a part of the revolutionary war lightly covered in school. I was very happy to read about the trials and set backs of the patriots. The battles of the wilderness in 1777 now are much more real. These 2 books by the author have given this period and the wilderness battles a reality I never experienced in school.

[Greg Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Mr. Logusz I’ve read. It has tons of citations for every chapter, but some of his writing can be a little repetitive. His description of the Battle of Oriskany and the siege of Fort Stanwix was exciting and detailed. Fast paced and interesting. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Thinking one · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Very well researched and written like a novel. Gives a good accounting of a part of the revolutionary that is not as well known as the battles in New England, and the South.

[Ryan Hopping · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise with lots of citations but author takes liberties as if he were writting histoical fiction.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who lives in this area, I found this book informative and easy to read. Recommended for anyone interested in the Battle of Oriskany or the War for Independence!!

[Wanda Lucena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read

Afterward, my ancestor, George Marsden, moved to northern shore of Oneida Lake so I was deeply moved by this history.

[Jimmie Kepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read "With Musket and Tomahawk: The Saratoga Campaign and the Wilderness War of 1777" by Michael O. Logusz. I am proof you don't have to read volume I to enjoy volume II. I'll confess I have a good background in the history of the American Revolutionary War. I have a BA in history. I took every undergraduate course offered on the American Revolution at my university. I also studied it when taking United States military history. The author does a good job of telling the story. The book is a good balance on scholarly level research and documentation wrapped around a very good story. You feel like you are there at of Fort Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany. You learn that in many ways the neighbor versus neighbor and family versus family first happen in this war, not the US Civil War. You learn there were Indians fighting on both sides as well. You experience the wilderness of this war right down to the lay of the land. You experience the military strategies and maneuvers as well as the frightening viciousness of battle. You learn of the key role western New York played in this war. This watershed campaign helped seal England’s demise and America’s eventual triumph. The book doesn’t read like an after action report with mind numbing details and numbers. It tells the story and held my attention. If you’re looking for reality based “leather-stocking” tales, this is it.

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great account of the lesser known wing of Burgoyne’s invasion into New York, St Leger’s mixed force of Indians, Tories, British Regulars, and Hessian jager, which laid siege to Fort Stanwix in August 1777. Connected to this is the bloody battle of Oriskany, which saw an Indian/British force under Chief Joseph Brandt ambush a column of Patriot militia under Colonel Nicholas Herkimer. Heavily relying on Indians and the outlaw Tory clans of Western New York, St. Leger was unable and unwilling to prevent the brutalization and massacre of civilians in the Mohawk Valley, and unable to keep his hybrid army together long enough to take Fort Stanwix. There was a great deal of blood and slaughter to absolutely no purpose.

[John Stubler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilderness Brought to Life

This second volume brings to life just how savage and brutal the American Revolution was. The savage butchery of the British with their German and Indian allies. The skill and bravery of the Patriots who defended their homes and villages. Savage hand-to-hand combat with tomahawk, knives, and bayonets. The author does a brilliant job placing the reader right in the middle of it all. Superbly written. Worthy of 5 Stars without a doubt.

[Debra]

Unlike the earlier volume, I didn't notice any glaring historical inaccuracies. Because he personalized the narrative it seemed more accessible, though still with the attention to military detail.

Unfortunately, I still did not care for the narrator, who consistently mispronounced Schoharie.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume II of this Revolutionary War history describes the standoff at Rome's Fort Stanwix

[Mark Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written history of a bloody, brother vs. brother campaign.