Canterbury Tours & Services 2006. Three-CD set.
Subtitled “The Story of Sullivan’s March through Pennsylvania, Before the Invasion of the Iroquois Homelands,” this narrated journey takes at your own pace, in your own car, along this historic route.
The three-CD set and guidebook provides maps, directions, hospitality information and tons of great historic information. Hear the narrated story of what happened at each leg along the route in the comfort of your own car.
The tour begins in Easton, and travels through the rolling hills of the Pocono Mountains to the Wyoming Valley, and along the majestic Susquehanna River through the Endless Mountains into New York. But you may start your exploration at any point along the route, traveling at your own pace. Guidebooks and CDs organized by chapters so you can start and stop at any point.
Easy-to-follow directions and hospitality information provided.
History of Sullivan's March: In the war between the Colonies and the British, many nations had vested interests in the outcome. Perhaps the one with the most at stake was the nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, in whose homelands the conflict was soon to be raging.
The Revolutionary War divided the Iroquois. That alliance of six Indian nations, who had been at peace with each other for more thn 250 years, foudn themselves opponents in the epic struggle. Some allied with the Continentals, while most fought alongside the British.
George Washington, attempting to break the strength of the Iroquois Confederacy's powerful alliance with the British, ordered a massive deployment of troops to march on the Iroquois homelands. His orders to Gen. John Sullivan were to make sure that their villages and crops were "not merely overrun, but totally destroyed." Once that feat was accomplished, Gen. Sullivan was to continue on to assault the British stronghold at Fort Niagara, if possible.
Approximately one quarter of the Continental Army marched with those direct orders to ravage the land, from Easton north. That movemnet of troops became known as Sullivan's March. It is recalled by some as an incredible military feat. Native descendants, however, remember it as a time of unspeakable despair and utter devastation as they were pushed from their homes by the inexorable approach of the Continental Army's onslaught.
