On August 6, 1777, at Oriskany Battlefield eight miles west of Utica, one of the bloodiest engagements of the American Revolution took place when British and Indian forces ambushed the Tryon County militia as they marched to relieve Fort Stanwix in Rome. General Nicholas Herkimer, though wounded, rallied his forces and directed the fighting until the enemy fled. After being defeated at Oriskany and failing to force the surrender of Fort Stanwix, the British retreated to Canada. These reverses, together with their defeat at Saratoga, thwarted Burgoyne's plan to divide the colonies by conquering New York.