Why is Ratohnaké:ton/ Connor Kenway's role in the American Revolutionary War so downplayed in modern history books?

by [deleted]
Searocksandtrees

hi! thanks for jumping in on the fun, but I've removed this post since it mixes factual history with fantasy/fiction, and we don't want to confuse our readership any more than necessary with alt-history.

Reedstilt

While he was initially one of the few Kanien'kehá:ka that were sympathetic to the Patriot's cause, he became disillusioned with Washington's leadership following the Sullivan Orders (when Washington ordered Sullivan and others to wipe out the Five Nations - burning their fields and towns, and capturing as many civilians as possible). The rift this created between Ratohnaké:ton and Washington was deep and personal. In order to facilitate the lie that the Five Nations were all antagonistic to the Patriots and that the Sullivan Orders were justified, Ratohnaké:ton's significant contributions early in the war were largely diminished (meanwhile the contributions of Thayendanegea / Joseph Brant, Ratohnaké:ton's counterpart on the Loyalist side are still well-remembered). Following the Revolution, Ratohnaké:ton retired to the relative anonymity of his Massachusetts estate, which he was able to secure in part because of his early departure from the Patriot cause. The neighboring Stockbridge Indians were not so lucky and had their lands seized by the Patriots despite fighting for the Patriot's cause.

Not much is known about his life after the war. There was some speculation that he might have been recruited by the Western Confederacy to fight in the Northwest Indian War, but he does not appear to have gotten involved. We know that Lafayette extended an invitation for Ratohnaké:ton to visit France, so he may have been out of the country during the Northwest Indian War. Regardless, by 1804, we know he was still living on his estate, as his remaining letters indicate that he was in communication with the Haitian revolutionary Eseosa at this time. For what purpose, we do not know.