Michael Cooney (St. Mary’s Academy 1964) has published an historical novel set in the Little Falls area during the American Revolution. Based on the true story of Hanyost Schuyler, the book is centered on the battle of Oriskany and the British siege of Fort Stanwix in present-day Rome NY, where the American flag was flown in battle for the first time.
The most complete record of Hanyost, a nephew of General Herkimer, is contained in the 1854 history of Herkimer County by Little Falls native Judge Benton, who considered him either a madman or a traitor. According to Benton, Hanyost grew up near Indian Castle and was very friendly with the local Mohawks, who sided with the British. Accused of switching sides in the middle of the war, he was nearly hung on the orders of Benedict Arnold, then commanding American forces in present-day Herkimer. Judge Benton and later historians, however, agree that this unusual man went on to single-handedly save the lives of hundreds of Americans besieged at Fort Stanwix.
This novel paints a sympathetic picture of a young man whose friendship with a Mohawk girl and her people isolated him from his family and neighbors in the midst of what became a violent civil war among the first settlers and native inhabitants of our region.
The book may be ordered online for $17.95 at http://www.lulu.com/content/1355102 (where sample chapters may be viewed).
Schools or other groups interested in bulk orders should contact the author at mjcooney1205@gmail or 518-758-2746 for a discounted price.