The Minisink Raid - August 1779

Transcribed by Judy Longley



Canaltsagoe August 4th 1779

Dear Walter,

      A Couple of Indians came in this evening from Joseph; he has been down to Mynisink and I believe has met with a disappointment; he found the Inhabitants mostly Secured in Forts after taking Some Scalps he was attacked on his return, he has lost three of his Men killed, and ten Wounded and his Party have thirty Six Scalps and prisoners only five of the latter: no Cattle. The Indians Say they took a Loyalist a very respective Man, who informed them that Gen'l Clinton had certainly taken the Forts in the Highlands and was following Washington up towards Albany; and Says he mentioned that they delayed their opperations from Wioming on that account lest their Assistance Should be wanted in the North River. An Officer they have Prisoner says the same Thing. Joseph is gone on a Scout towards Unondella.

I am &ca.

John Butler




From microfilm of the Frederick Haldimand Papers, British Library Additional Manuscripts No. 21,765, folio 127, with thanks to the British Library (London, UK) and by courtesy of the Public Archives of Canada.