 In November 11 , 1778 a mixed force of Loyalists , British soldiers , Mohawk and Seneca under the command of Walter Butler descended on Cherry Valley . Colonel Alden had been warned of their approach , but had dismissed the warnings . He and his command staff , including Stacy , were stationed in a house some 400 yards ( 370 m ) from the fort . McKendry described the attack in his journal : " Immediately came on 442 Indians from the Five Nations , 200 Tories under the command of one Col. Butler and Capt. Brant ; attacked headquarters ; killed Col. Alden ; took Col. Stacy prisoner ; attacked Fort Alden ; after three hours retreated without success of taking the fort . " McKendry identified the fatalities of the massacre as Colonel Alden , thirteen other soldiers , and thirty civilian inhabitants . 
