[2] Although Brant received a captain's commission in the Six Nations Indian Department in 1780, other members of the group were Loyalist and Indigenous associators (volunteers).

Following the destruction of Onaquaga by Lieutenant Colonel William Butler in October 1778, Brant moved his base of operations to Fort Niagara.

In 1780, Brant and his volunteers destroyed Kanonwalohale, the principal village of the pro-American Oneidas, and participated in a large-scale raid on the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River valleys that culminated in the inconclusive Battle of Klock's Field.

The following year Brant operated in the Ohio Country and in August participated in a successful ambush of a detachment of Brigadier General George Rogers Clark's army.

[3] When they wore civilian clothing in battle, Brant had them attach yellow lace to their hats so they could be easily identified as Loyalists.