From About.com American Revolution:
American Revolution: Fort Stanwix Remains Under Siege
August 6, 1777 - American forces are defeated at the Battle of Oriskany and are unable to lift the Siege of Fort Stanwix.
Advancing to the Mohawk River in the summer of 1777, Brig. Gen. Barry
St. Leger was tasked with clearing the area of American forces en route
to uniting with Maj. Gen. John Burgoyne's main army which was pushing south from Fort Ticonderoga.
Arriving at Fort Stanwix, he found his route east blocked by Col. Peter
Gansevoort's (right) garrison. Laying siege, St. Leger was able to
turn back an American relief force at Oriskany on August 6, though the
casualties sustained weakened the resolve of his Native American
allies. Unable to overcome the garrison, morale began to dip. On
August 22, St. Leger was forced to abandon the siege in the face of an
advancing American relief column led by Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold. Despite St. Leger's defeat, Burgoyne continued his advance and was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Saratoga that fall.
