Oriskany, New York: Oriskany Battlefield

Here's a spot that qualifies as a little-known but crucial turning point in American history.

In 1777, the British hoped to take control of New York State in its effort to put down the rebellion of the Americans. New England thus would be cut off from the rest of the colonies. To do that, one group would come down from Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, while a second would come up from New York City.

To make it work, a third force was needed from the West. General Barry St. Leger led his troops across Lake Ontario and toward the area we call Rome now. It was a short hop from there to the Mohawk River and an easy trip to Albany. However, the British had trouble with the pesky Americans there, and needed help. Those reinforcements ran into more American forces, and fought a bloody battle in Orisky. The British took off, St. Leger gave up, and the British eventually suffered a huge loss a few months later in Saratoga. Did the course of the war change here? Quite possibly.

The grounds have been cleared and turned into a memorial to those who lose their life. The monument extends well into the sky, but the base is worth the photo. The area is a National Historic Landmark.

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