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The Battle of the Flockey

The Old Stone Fort was among three forts erected along Schoharie Creek to protect Schoharie Valley. After George Mann’s defection, only one of these forts, called Fort Defyance in today’s Middleburgh, was able to resist the loyalist forces. One of the defenders, Colonel John Harper, was able to escape to Albany and get help. He returned to Schoharie with the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, a cavalry troop, under the command of a Frenchman, Captain Vernejoux. They raided Mann’s Tavern and rallied the Schoharie militia. The patriots with the cavalry at the lead attacked the loyalist bands at the Battle of Flockey and returned Schoharie valley to Patriot control. The cavalry charge is said to be the first of the Revolutionary War. Marker reads: Here COL. JOHN HARPER at Head Of Local Militia Routed Capt. MacDonald Of Burgoyne's Staff With Tories And Indians Aug. 13, 1777.

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