Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort, erected in 1758 at the present location of Rome, New York. A reconstructed fort has been built at the site by the National Park Service, and this National Monument lies in the center of the modern city. Fort Stanwix, named after General John Stanwix, guarded a portage known as the Oneida Carrying Place during the French and Indian War.
The abandoned Fort Stanwix was reconstructed by American forces and named Fort Schuyler. In 1777 the fort was attacked by British forces under the General St. Leger as part of a three-pronged attack (see Saratoga Campaign} to split American power in New York State. The fort commander, Colonel Peter Gansevoort, refused the terms of surrender offered by the British, and the siege commenced.
The Battle of Oriskany was fought when an American relief column, commanded by General Nicholas Herkimer was ambushed by British troops, Tories, and their indian allies. While many of the besiegers were attending to that battle, the defenders of the fort sallyed forth and attacked the enemy camp, looting and destroying enemy stores. Demoralized and reduced in strength, the British withdrew when they heard rumors of yet another relief column, led by General Benedict Arnold. The Britsh failure to capture the fort and proceed down the Mohawk Valley was a severe setback and eventually led to the defeat of General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.
Fort Stanwix was the site of a treaty between the British and the Iroquois in 1758, arranged by William Johnson. Another treaty was arranged there between the Americans and the indians in 1784.