Take a hike and learn about the Battle of Minisink

MINISINK, N.Y. — How did the accidental firing of a rifle lead to one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War? National Park Service Ranger Tim Oset will explain the Battle of Minisink in an easy guided walk at Sullivan County's Minisink Battlefield Park on Saturday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m.

The Battle of Minisink was the only Revolutionary War battle to be fought in the Upper Delaware and was one of the bloodiest battles in the war, considering the number of men involved. What was supposed to be a sneak attack by a militia led by Col. John Hathorn of Warwick and Lt. Col Benjamin Tusten of Goshen on Joseph Brant’s party of Tories and Iroquois, who were responsible for a raid that killed at least four settlers and destroyed numerous buildings, ended up going terribly wrong. A rifle accidently discharged, alerting the enemy and triggering the battle, with tragic consequences.

Lt. Martinus Decker of the Orange County Militia wrote: "That on the nineteenth day of July 1779 a day long to be remembered by the people living in the valley of the Neversink the Indians again made their appearance on the frontiers and burned a number of houses and barns and destroyed much property. The alarm was given and the Goshen Regiment was called out and Capt Kortrights company with the rest and followed the Indians as far as beaver brook where they overtook them and had a fight. The inhabitants were defeated Col Tusten was killed with a number of other officers and men and Capt Wood was taken prisoner."

The Minisink Battleground trail is an easy loop. During the hike Ranger Tim Oset will discuss the Battle of Minisink and explain the significance of the prominent locations along the trail such as Sentinel Rock, Hospital Rock and Indian Rock.

Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, water, sunglasses, bug spray, and a camera are recommended.

By participating in this program you will have completed one of six hiking trails found within the Upper Delaware. As you continue to hike the other five trails you will be on your way to earn Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s “Take a Hike!” patch.

Minisink Battleground Park is located on Sullivan County Route 168 about one mile northeast of NYS Route 97 at, Minisink Ford. The turn for Route 168 is just south of the east end of the Roebling Aqueduct, across the Delaware River from Lackawaxen, Pa.

For more information about the Battle of Minisink program or how to obtain the “Take a Hike” brochure, call 570-685-4871.