Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor Blacksnake (American Indian Lives) [Hardcover]

Chainbreaker (Author), Thomas S. Abler (Editor, Introduction), Benjamin Williams (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: American Indian Lives | Publication Date: October 1, 1989

Chainbreaker is one of the earliest memoirs of an American Indian—a Seneca chief know as Governor Blacksnake to his white neighbors on the New York frontier. A fighter in the American Revolution, the old chief (who also went by the name Chainbreaker) had an exciting story to tell to his fellow Seneca, Benjamin Williams, in the mid-nineteenth century. His account is now published in its entirety for the first time, with extensive commentary by Thomas S. Abler setting the text in historical perspective.

The narrative begins with a flurry of diplomatic activity as the English and the rebellious Americans eagerly seek alliances with the Senecas and other tribes in the Iroquois Confederacy. Only in 1777 did Iroquois warriors enter the conflict. Blacksnake describes the fighting as he saw it on such fields as Oriskany, Wyoming, and Newtown. Educated not only to the warpath but to the council fire, he is sensitive to the central role his people played in peace negotiations after the defeat of the British. He describes also the efforts of the Senecas to promote peace between the Americans and the still hostile Indians of the Ohio country. Blacksnake was well placed to make and observe history: One of his uncles was Cornplanter, a prominent figure during the Revolutionary War and its aftermath. Another uncle was the prophet Handsome Lake, whose vision in 1799 led to a revitalization of Seneca religion and culture and is recounted here. Blacksnake’s story provides a rare Indian view of warfare and diplomacy during a time when the Six Nations of the Iroquois still played a major role in the history of North America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is a real pleasure to see the memoirs of Governor Blacksnake at last in print, well edited and introduced by a leading ethnohistorian. . . . All credit is due to Thomas Abler for making Blacksnake’s fascinating text available to scholars and general readers in this extremely well edited publication."—Anthony F. C. Wallace, Ethnohistory

(Anthony F. C. Wallace Ethnohistory )

“A rare look at the Indian side of the Revolution . . . A substantial contribution to the literature of Indian history, diplomacy, and survival in the Revolutionary Era.”—Western Historical Quarterly

(Western Historical Quarterly )

“A significant resource.”—American Indian Quarterly

(American Indian Quarterly )

“This collaboration is especially noteworthy because both participants were Native American. . . . A powerful work.”—Studies in American Indian Literature

(Studies in American Indian Literature ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Thomas S. Abler, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Waterloo, is the co-author of A Canadian Indian Bibliography, 1960-1970 (1974).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803214464
• ISBN-13: 978-0803214460
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,860,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable window into American Indian culture and history, September 29, 2005

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor Blacksnake as told to Benjamin Williams (American Indian Lives) (Paperback)

"Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor Blacksnake, as told to Benjamin Williams," is edited by Thomas S. Abler, who also contributes an introduction and notes. The primary text is a first-person account by a Seneca Indian chief who fought during the American Revolution, and delivered his story orally to another Indian who committed it to writing. In addition to providing an overall introduction for the book, editor Abler also has written individual introductions for each section of the Blacksnake narrative. This supplemental material helps place Blacksnake's words in context.

Abler discusses in detail the background and history of the Blacksnake manuscript. He notes that this text "provides a rare Indian view of warfare and of diplomacy in a period when the Six Nations of the Iroquois still played a prominent and significant role in the development of North America" (p. 8). Abler discusses Blacksnake's family, his names, his people's culture, the Iroquois Confederacy as a political entity, and relations among the British, the revolutionary colonists, and Native Americans. It's a fascinating backdrop for Blacksnake's own story.

Blacksnake's own words show conflict within the Indian community, relations with white people, and the role of Indian women. He describes combat involving firearms, tomahawks, knives, and the "war whoop." Also covered in the book is the religious vision and career of Blacksnake's uncle, the prophet Handsome Lake. Appendices to the primary text include an intriguing series of communications between George Washington and Seneca leaders.

Abler notes that the Blacksnake/Williams text is written in "somewhat individualistic English"; I imagine many contemporary readers will find the text quite difficult, and will be thankful for Abler's clearly written supplementary text. The text is also enhanced by a wealth of visual materials, including maps, a daguerreotype of the elderly Blacksnake, reproductions of historic illustrations of other Indian leaders, photographs of historic wampum belts, and more. Also worthy of note is the extensive bibliography. This is a fascinating book, but I found it to be tragic and sad; it seems to me that in the main text and supplemental materials we can see the decline of the Iroquois Confederacy from a true military and political force to a marginalized people. Despite this downbeat aspect, the book is a real tribute to Blacksnake, Handsome Lake, and other remarkable Indian leaders. Overall, Abler has assembled a valuable contribution to both Native American studies and United States military history. Recommended companion text: "Geronimo: His Own Story," edited by Frederick Turner.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Chain Breaker's War, November 5, 2010

By 

Eugene Sevi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor Blacksnake as told to Benjamin Williams (American Indian Lives) (Paperback)

I was totally dissatisfied with the deliver, which was several weeks late. I will not depend on your delivery dates in the future and not use you to order books for my book club.