In the shadow of revolution, a campaign of quiet devastation unfolded. While Washington’s Continental Army fought British redcoats along the eastern seaboard, a very different war was being waged in the lush valleys of upstate New York. It was not a war for cities or forts but for orchards, granaries, and the very soil beneath Seneca feet. Join John and Patrick as they unearth the harrowing truth behind the Sullivan Expedition - a scorched-earth campaign ordered by George Washington to annihilate the agricultural heartland of the Iroquois Confederacy. With orders to destroy not only villages, but entire food systems, Sullivan’s army marched north to break the back of Indigenous resistance. What followed was less a battle than a deliberate erasure: orchards axed, cornfields torched, entire towns razed in cheerful efficiency. From the diplomatic genius and agricultural brilliance of the Seneca people to the haunting final stand at Genesee Castle, this is the story of America’s first total war - a war not just against a people, but against their ability to survive. ---------- In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more. ----------- Step into history - literally! Now is your chance to own a pair of The History of Fresh Produce sneakers. Fill out the form here and get ready to walk through the past in style. ----------- Instagram, TikTok, Threads: @historyoffreshproduce Email:
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