ROWLAND MONTOUR

Inscription

ROWLAND MONTOUR
DELAWARE CAPTAIN WHO, WITH
20-40 DELAWARE MEN, DEFENDED
THEIR HOMES AND LAND HERE
ON AUGUST 13, 1779 AT
THE BATTLE OF CHEMUNG.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2019

In 1779, Major General John Sullivan was tasked by General George Washington to rendezvous with General James Clinton and unleash a campaign of destruction against Native American tribes of New York State who were allied with the British. Following the destruction of the Native American community of Chemung, Sullivan and his forces continued their march. They were soon attacked by a group of 20 Delaware warriors and their commander, Captain Rowland Montour. British Commander Major John Butler detailed the attack in an August 26, 1779 letter to Colonel Mason Bolton:

Soon after they came to Tioga a large body of them arched up to Shimong, a village three miles below this, which they burnt and destroyed the corn and were advancing further when they were attacked by Captain Rowland Montour with about 20 Delawares, who after a few fires were obliged to retire with the loss of one man killed.

They say they killed several of the enemy as they were very near and saw them fall. They were determined to have attacked them again had they advanced any further, but after remaining for a little time near where they had the skirmish, the rebels returned to Tigoa.

This attack led by Captain Rowland Montour caught the Continental troops off guard. It resulted in heavy losses which successfully slowed Sullivan’s advance.