Last Stand On The Rocky Hill

After the initial contact at the river, Col. Hathorn’s remaining force, about forty men, conducted a fighting retreat until they reached high ground. Here they took up a position about two acres in size. Sentinel Rock, where you are now, marked the approximate southwest corner of the militia &#8220;square.&#8221; The battlefield monument marks the southeastern part of the American defensive square.<br><br>Capt. Brant’s men encircled them at a distance of 100 yards or less. Tradition has long held that this is the location where Brant made his push into the heart of the militia’s defensive square. More recent research indicates that Brant’s final assault began from the northeast, not far from Hospital Rock. The militia men were now in the fight of their lives, and few would survive.<br><br>Joseph Brant later wrote:<br><i><b>&#8220;The Rebels soon retreated and I pursued them, until they stopt upon a Rocky Hill, round which we were employed and very busy near four hours before we could drive them out.&#8221;</i></b>