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ATTACK
ON THE REAR GUARD AT
OSWEGO
[3 November 2011]
On June 30 – July 1, 2012, French and Indian War
reenactors, who figured highly in the successful campaign to
reopen Fort Ontario State Historic Site after its closure in 2010,
are invited to return, commemorate, and recreate the July 5-6,
1759 French attacks on
Oswego
. Led by the
Chevalier de la Corne, about 1200 French Marine troops, Canadian
Militia, and Indians attacked approximately 1300 British and
Provincial troops constructing a new
Fort
Ontario
. The French force
achieved initial surprise and probably would have overrun British
defenders had not the Sulpican Priest Abbe Piquet stopped the main
force of attackers to exhort them to victory and give them
absolution. British
forces under the command of Frederick Haldimand had not had time
to entrench and after recovering from the attack of the advance
guard utilized a wall of pork and flour barrels for defense.
Several determined assaults were made by the French and
Indians in the two-day battle.
The British were too strong to dislodge and the French
believing they were in danger of being cut off from their bateaux,
panicked and made a frantic rush to regain their boats, even
knocking down Abbe Piquet when he tried to stop them.
A Captain Herkimer, either Nicholas of later Revolutionary
War fame or his father, who, when out in his bateau, was fired
upon more than 150 times by the French and Indians.
Captain Thomas Sowers, an important British engineer, was
wounded. Sowers later
drew a plan of the new fort and the field defenses he had helped
to defend. British
losses were at least 21 killed and wounded while the French lost
about 30 killed with many more wounded.
Even the French believed that had the attack been continued
without Piquet’s stopping his force to pray, the surprised and
shocked British and Provincials would have been quickly overrun.
The British victory secured Prideaux and Johnson’s rear
guard and supplies, and prevented the lifting of the siege of
Fort
Niagara
.
Efforts will be made to recreate Haldimand’s defense line
of pork and flour barrels at the event; participants are
encouraged to bring and loan barrels to contribute to the British
defense line.
Battle
scenarios will focus on recreating the multiple French attacks so
plenty of cartridges will be needed.
Native and Naval impressions are especially welcome as we
move towards the 250th Commemoration of Pontiac’s
Rebellion and the 1766 Treaty of Fort Ontario which formally ended
the conflict.
Straw, water, and dry seasoned firewood will be provided and
reenactors will receive a 10% discount in the museum shop.
Reenactors and Sutlers are considered volunteers whose
services at
Fort
Ontario
are appreciated; each individual must complete a Volunteer Service
Form. Pre-registration
is required at least two weeks before the event.
There is a boat launch for bateaux in nearby
Oswego
Harbor
. Musical
entertainment will be provided by “Liaison’s Plaisante’s,”
Randy Patten will present an exhibit of copies of 18th
Century maps he recently obtained from the Public Record Office in
England
. Lectures,
children’s programming, and other activities will be posted as
event planning progresses.
Reenactors and Sutlers are invited to remain in camp at
Fort
Ontario
before proceeding to the Old Fort Niagara F & I event the
following weekend. Those
staying in
camp
Sunday
night will be able to watch the Independence Day fireworks over
the harbor. Registration
and other materials are available on the Friends of Fort Ontario
website [fortontario.com]. Contact
Historic Site Manager Paul Lear for additional information (315)
343-4711 [Paul.Lear@parks.ny.gov].
Fort Ontario State Historic Site is located on the east
side of
Oswego
Harbor
in the City of
Oswego
at the north end of
East 4th Street
. The fort is easily
reached by interstate highways I90 and I81-I481, and, State Route
104 East and West.
Contact:
Paul Lear [Paul.Lear@parks.ny.gov]
George Bray [george@frontiernet.net]
Fort
Ontario Phione 315-343-4711
315-343-1430 fax
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