John Abeel III known as Gaiant'wake (Gyantwachia – "the planter") in the Seneca language and thus generally known as Cornplanter, was a Dutch-Seneca chief warrior and diplomat of the Seneca people. As a war chief, Cornplanter fought in the American Revolutionary War on the side of the British. When the American Revolutionary War began in 1775, Cornplanter urged the Seneca to remain neutral. Although Cornplanter strongly opposed becoming involved, the Seneca eventually agreed to actively support the British against the Americans. Cornplanter honored that decision. Because of the status of the Seneca as "elder brothers" among the Iroquois, most of the Iroquois Confederacy followed suit. During the Siege of Fort Stanwix in August 1777, Cornplanter played a significant role in the ambush of a column of Patriot militia and Oneida at the Battle of Oriskany. The battle was followed by widespread looting and burning throughout the Wyoming Valley but non-combatants were not harmed. In November 1778, Cornplanter led the Seneca at the Cherry Valley Massacre. When the war ended in 1783, Cornplanter recognized the need to develop a positive diplomatic relationship with the fledgling government of what the Iroquois called the "Thirteen Fires." He became a negotiator in disputes between the new "Americans" and the Seneca.