Fort Stanwix was a fort erected in 1758 on the Mohawk River, at what was called the great carrying place, by Brigadier-General John Stanwix. The name was afterward changed to Fort Schuyler. It was built to protect the country from the depredations of the Six Nations, and treaties were concluded there between those Indians and the English, determining the boundaries of the Indian Territory in 1768. In 1777 Peter Gansevoort was placed in command of the fort and was besieged for nearly a month by the English under St Leger. He refused to capitulate, however, and St Leger was compelled to withdraw. The fort was abandoned in 1781, being partially destroyed by the floods of that year. Research Fort Stanwix