HISTORY

May 5-6, 1814
Attack on Fort Oswego

For the entire winter of 1813-1814 both sides, one at Kingston and the other at Sackett's Harbor, had been expending all their energies in shipbuilding for the purposes of securing the command of Lake Ontario.

In February, Henry Eckford had laid the keel of three vessels, one a frigate designed to carry 50 guns and two brigs of 500 tons each, to carry 22 guns. The brigs, named respectively Jefferson and Jones, were almost ready for service at the close of April; and the frigate, which was named The Superior, was launched on the 2nd of May, just 80 days after her keel was laid. But her naval stores and heavy guns were still at Oswego, the roads across the country from Utica to Sackett's Harbor being impassable for heavy ordnance. They were kept at Oswego for security from the enemy, until two schooners could be loaded and dispatched from Oswego.

But the British squadron at Kingston moved first; and on the 4th of May 1,000 troops, under Lt. Gen. Sir George Gordon Drummond set sail. While Chauncey remained in Sackett's Harbor, the British moved against Oswego on the morning of the May 5th. The American garrison at Oswego consisted of a force of less than 300 men. One of the schooners, the Growler, was sunk to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, and a part of her crew joined the local militia to defend the town.

Having too few troops for the defense of both the village and the fort, Lt. Col. Mitchell ordered all the tents in store there to be pitched near the town, while the whole force took position in the fort, The deception had the desired effect, the British launched their first attack against the tents Mitchell's men had set up. But by early afternoon the British resolved their error. Cannon on the larger vessels opened fire on the fort, but the ground attack was driven back.

On the morning of the 6th the fleet again appeared off Oswego, and the larger vessels immediately opened a heavy fire on the fort. Under cover of this bombardment, the British landed about 1,200 troops commanded by Lt. Col. Fischer.

After landing the British ascended a long, steep hill in the face of a heavy fire from the American defenders in the fort. Finding it impossible to defend the fort with so few men, Mitchell left the works, but was jumped by the British as soon as he left the fort. By desperate fighting the British were kept in check for a long time, but overwhelming numbers finally compelled Mitchell to fall back. The British took possession of the fort and all the works and stores in the vicinity. Mitchell retired up the river.

At 5AM on the morning of the 7th the invaders withdrew, after having embarked the guns and few stores found there, dismantled the fort, and burned the barracks. They also raised and carried away the Growler and two sunken boats.