Unfortunately, we have only a few hints about what went on at the 1756 fort at Clyde. The fort had been ordered to be built and garrisoned in June, 1756. Though largely complete by September 11, it was not yet ready to be occupied in October.
After the fall of Oswego during the summer of 1756, the Iroquois began to lose faith in their English allies. This was particularly true of the Onondagas, Senecas, and Cayugas. Once their fort at Canadesaga was built, the Senecas sent word to Albany that no British troops were necessary for their defense.
Upon the fall of Oswego, the British had abandoned the Oneida Carry and burned their forts defending it. There was little opportunity to complete the Indian forts, even if they wanted to. The situation worsened for the British when the French captured and destroyed Fort William Henry at Lake George in 1757. On June 20, 1757, Sir William Johnson addressed the Onondaga, Cyuga and Seneca Indians, saying:
"You have declared to me that the resolution of your three Nations are to act a neutral part in the present hostilities between the English and French. . . How [the King of England] will receive this breach of faith, notwithstanding the great expence he hath been at in cloathing arming and feeding you and your families and building forts in your towns at your request and for your defence; time will show."
In July of 1758, it was reported to British authorities that Joncaire (the son of the famous French interpreter) “fixt a Smith at Chenossia to mend [the Seneca’s] Arms gratis, that our Smiths Bellows which lay near Cayouga was taken & carried to Chenossia.” The smith's bellows that lay "near Cayouga" was probably at Sodoms.
The Indian forts built by Sir William Johnson were designed to operate as trading posts, with a storehouse and facilities for a blacksmith. The bellows discussed was not from Cayuga, where there was no fort, nor from Canandesaga.
By late 1758, through Sir William's entreaties, the western Iroquois nations once again committed themselves to the English cause. It was only then that Fort Clyde was probably finished. 1758 was a year of large-scale British fort construction, including one built at Three Rivers (Phoenix, NY) called Fort Schroeppel. A French spy described it as being a four-bastioned fort of horizontally laid logs, about 60 feet on each side and with three storehouses inside. At the junction of the Seneca River, it was intended as a depot for supplies being sent up that river, deep into Indian country. The only English fort in the region, lying directly on that water route, was Fort Clyde.
The Cayuga Indians participated in the 1759 campaigns, including the attack on Fort Niagara. With the French and their own Indian allies prowling the wilderness, it is unlikely the Cayuga warriors would have left their "old men, wives and children" undefended. The British are fairly certain to have posted a garrison at the fort. Even as just a trading post, a small number of soldiers would have been assigned for security.
Some of the Indian forts may have been garrisoned by Provincial troops, but most seem to have British regulars. After examining this question, I believe it is most likely that the garrison consisted of 20 to 40 members of the 60th Regiment of Foot (Royal Americans), Trained for wilderness warfare, several companies of the 60th stayed behind at Oswego and other posts near Lake Ontario, while the main army marched against Niagara. The fort may have been garrisoned as early as the fall of 1758 and into 1760, and other troops may have been involved. The projected number of troops stationed at Fort Clyde is based on three factors:
1. Early proposals for the "Indian forts" discussed using 20-man garrisons (a Lt.'s Party).
2. Capt. Montresor designed the fort for a garrison of 40 men, with the ability to house 120 in an emergency. The fort was also intended to have 8 small cannon, spare pickets and sand bags.
3. Some of the Indian forts are known to have had garrisons of 30 men.
The fort was definitely abandoned by January of 1764. At that time, it did not appear on an official list of forts, trading posts and garrisons. Fort Scroeppel at Three Rivers was also not on that list, indicating there was no longer a need to send supplies up the Seneca River. Fort Clyde wae probably abandoned before Pontiac's Rebellion in 1763. War parties of western Seneca Indians were reportedto have gone to Irondequoit and "Sodans" to intercept British boats traveling to and from Fort Niagara. It is clear that Sodus Bay is meant, and there was no apparent concern for a far-flung garrison nearby. Had there been a garrison at Fort Clyde at that time, it would probably have been attacked.
The old fort may have been visited occasionally by traders or scouts, into the 1770's.
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