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One of the earliest memoirs by an American Indian, Chainbreaker presents the recollections of a Seneca chief, also known as Governor Blacksnake. A fighter in the American Revolution who lived more than a century, Chainbreaker told his story as an old man in the 1840s to a fellow Seneca, Benjamin Williams, who translated it and committed it to paper. Epic in scale and yet intensely personal, Chainbreaker’s story provides a rare Native view of warfare and diplomacy during a crucial period in American history. His account is only fully available in this edition, featuring extensive commentary by Thomas S. Abler.

“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

“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

“A significant resource.”—American Indian Quarterly

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

Thomas S. Abler is a professor of anthropology at the University of Waterloo. He is the author of Hinterland Warriors and Military Dress: European Empires and Exotic Uniforms.