Tour Commemorates Soldiers Lost in British Attack on May 5, 1814

by Contributor | April 26, 2016 7:07 am

OSWEGO – Superintendent Paul Lear will lead a walking tour of the 1814 Battle of Oswego at Fort Ontario State Historic Site at 7 p.m. May 5.

On the morning of May 6, 1814, while the rest of a Royal Navy squadron bombarded Fort Ontario and filled landing boats with troops, the brig Niagara anchored 300 yards from the fort and poured broadsides from heavy guns into two American artillery batteries. Captain James Boyle’s three light field gun crews fired red hot shot at the Niagara and set her on fire three times before being driven off by British bayonets. Fort Ontario site superintendent Paul Lear will recount this battle during a walking tour at the fort. (Graphic courtesy of Fort Ontario State Historic Site.)
On the morning of May 6, 1814, while the rest of a Royal Navy squadron bombarded Fort Ontario and filled landing boats with troops, the brig Niagara anchored 300 yards from the fort and poured broadsides from heavy guns into two American artillery batteries. Captain James Boyle’s three light field gun crews fired red hot shot at the Niagara and set her on fire three times before being driven off by British bayonets. Fort Ontario site superintendent Paul Lear will recount this battle during a walking tour at the fort. (Graphic courtesy of Fort Ontario State Historic Site.)

Lear will incorporate new information and insights into the battle gained from his research at the National Archives and other sources.

The battlefield walking tour will begin inside the old stone fort and proceed at a slow pace.

“Oswego was an important trans-shipment point on the waterborne supply route from New York City to the US Navy shipyard and port at Sackets Harbor, NY, as well as for army campaigns on the Niagara Frontier and St. Lawrence River,” said Lear. “On May 5 and 6, 1814, a British amphibious force attacked and captured Fort Ontario in an attempt to cripple American shipbuilding efforts at Sackets Harbor and maintain naval control of Lake Ontario.”

During the tour, Lear will discuss the individuals and units involved in the battle, what actions they took, and the results of the battle.

The tour is free and open to the public.

Footwear and clothing for cooler and windier conditions along the lake are recommended.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site is located at the north end of East Fourth Street in the city of Oswego.

For more information on Fort Ontario or the 1814 battlefield walking tour event, contact Lear at (315) 343 4711, or email [email protected]

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