A view of the battle of fort oswego, fought on 6 may 1814 between the british, commanded by commodore sir james lucas yeo, r. N. (1782-1818) and the americans, commanded by george edward mitchell (1781-1832), resulting in a british victory. The war of 1812 (1812-15). Yeo had been appointed commodore and commander-in-chief of the warships on the north american lakes on 19 march 1813. He had built two large ships during 1813-14 and these, together with the rest of his squadron (seen in the foreground of this view), were used to carry a large number of troops to attack fort oswego in early may 1814. Fort oswego, seen in the centre of this view, flying the american flag (which is not drawn with any pretence at accuracy as to the number of stars and stripes) was not the strong structure it had been during the french and indian war of 1754-63. Although, in 1814, was an important staging post on the american supply route from new york, its defences had crumbled, and its guns were damaged. Nevertheless, the americans put up a strong resistance and can be seen here, in a line on the slope below the fort, firing at the british troops which had just landed. Vessels: charwell (aka hms moira (1805)), star (1813) (aka hms lord melville (1813)), magnet (1793) (aka governor simcoe (1793)), wolfe (1813) (aka montreal), royal george (1809) (aka niagara). One of a pair of views; the companion print is at rcin 735185. 4. A. George iii catalogue entry: oswego two views of the attack and storming of fort oswego on lake ontario by the 2. D battalion of royal marines and a party of seamen, on the 6. Th of may 1814: by lieut. Hewett, engraved by r. Havell, 1815. Date: 1 May 1815. Dimensions: 43.6 x 53.6 cm (image). Medium: aquatint with etching and engraving. Depicted Place: Fort Oswego, New York, USA. Collection: Royal Collection. Battle of Fort Oswego, 1814 RCIN 735185.4.b
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