During August 3-6, 1777, General Herkimer traveled a 40 mile route to relieve Fort Stanwix. On August 6, the Battle of Oriskany, fought between Herkimer's men and St. Leger with his Indians, became the turning point of the Revolution. The rear guard of General Herkimer's army encamped along the highway near this spot on August 5, 1777, the night before the Battle of Oriskany.