Raid on Fort Oswego
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The Raid of Fort Oswego was a successful British raid on an American fort and village in May 1814 during the War of 1812.
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[edit] Background
Oswego, New York, was a vital staging point on the American supply route from New York to their main naval base on Lake Ontario at Sackett's Harbor, New York.
The British squadron under Sir James Lucas Yeo were first to put out onto the lake with two new frigates in the campaigning season of 1814, but the Americans under Commodore Isaac Chauncey were building their own, more powerful, frigates. When these had been completed and fitted with their guns, Yeo's squadron would be outclassed. Yeo planned, by capturing Oswego, to capture the guns intended for Chauncey's ships and thereby retain his own advantage.
[edit] Attack
The British landing force consisted of a battalion of Royal Marines, a company of the Glengarry Light Infantry, five companies of De Watteville's regiment and a detachment of sailors acting as infantry. Opposed to them was an American force of 290 men, mainly from the U.S. Artillery. The fort they were defending was in a state of disrepair.
The British began with a preliminary bombardment from their flotilla. Their two frigates (HMS Prince Regent and Princess Charlotte) engaged the fort, while the guns of 6 sloops and brigs swept the woods and landing beaches. After this, the British landed at 2 p.m. The Royal Marines had an unfortunate landing; they landed in deep water, and their ammunition was soaked and made useless. They were forced to fix their bayonets and charge the American troops under very heavy fire. They were successful but exhausted.
Another simultaneous landing attempt by the army troops was much more successful. The seamen and marines rallied and charged into the American battery, and they achieved their objectives.
American Commander George Mitchell realised that the whole of the fort was under attack and that his soldiers were being overpowered. He decided to retreat into the forests and was pursued by British soldiers. British naval officer Captain William Mulcaster was seriously wounded while leading 200 sailors armed with boarding pikes.
[edit] Result
The British gathered 2,400 barrels of useful supplies of all description; flour, pork, salt, bread and ordnance stores, together with seven guns meant for Chauncey's ships. They also captured a few small schooners, including the USS Growler; this had already been captured by the British the year before but then recaptured by the Americans.
The British missed 21 more guns which had still been en route to Oswego. A later attempt to intercept these on their way to Sackett's Harbor failed, with 200 marines and sailors ambushed and captured at the Battle of Big Sandy Creek. Once Chauncey had received the guns and fitted out his squadron, he commanded the lake until late in the year.
[edit] References
The incredible War of 1812, J. Mackay Hitsman, Robin Brass Studio, Toronto, ISBN 1-896941-13-3
