Traveling back in time

As we move east we move towards our American beginnings part of which is the Revolution. Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY presents an interesting story. Though no blood was shed at the well provisioned and secure fort itself, while the colonial army was under British siege, a relief force of 500 militia and Indian allies approaching from the east was ambushed by a force of Loyalists and their Indian allies under British command at the Battle of Oriskany.
In one of the most gruesome fights of the entire war there were hundreds of casualties on both sides. Why the relief force approached in an exposed creek bed is beyond me, but hand to hand fighting ensued.
Notably, these were American militia fighting American Loyalists, and members of the Six Nations(Iroquois) fighting each other, neighbors and cousins shedding each other's blood.

The reproduction of Ft Stanwix shows how formidable it was. 

Ironically, a relief force from the fort is what saved the relief force. The attacking Indians withdrew to defend their camps and families leaving the British and loyalists no choice. The approach of a larger colonial army broke the siege and thwarted ultimate British goals to split the colonies across NY.