Raid on Unadilla and Onaquaga

He recruited a mix of Iroquois and Loyalists estimated to number between two and three hundred by the time he began his campaign in May.

[3][4][5] One of his objectives was to acquire provisions for his forces and those of Major Butler, who was planning operations in the Susquehanna River valley.

The local militia were supported by some Continental Army regiments stationed in the area, but these forces generally could not mobilize in time to catch the raiders before they disappeared.

[8] New York Governor George Clinton and militia commander Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck considered mounting operations against the principal Iroquois bases used by the raiders, Onaquaga and Unadilla, earlier in 1778, but it was not until an attack by Brant on the settlement of German Flatts in September that an expedition was organized.

[9] In response to calls from Governor Clinton, General George Washington authorized the use of Continental Army forces, assigning the operation to Lieutenant Colonel William Butler of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment.

As the force cautiously advanced toward the town, one of the scouts returned with a prisoner who reported that the community had been abandoned, with most of the inhabitants fleeing to Onaquaga.

This anger contributed to reprisals when a joint British and Iroquois force attacked Cherry Valley, leading to the massacre of 30 noncombatants by the Seneca.