Great Lakes Art Database

Storming Fort Oswego

Description
Featured Link
View image on the Royal Collection Trust siteView image on the Royal Collection Trust site
Creators
Hewitt, John, Artist
Havell, Robert
, Engraver
Item Type
Aquatints
Description
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.
Inscriptions
STORMING FORT OSWEGO, by 2.nd Battalion ROYAL MARINES and a party of SEAMEN; 15.m past Twelve at Noon.

Dedicated to His Majesty's Royal Marine Forces, and those employ'd on the Expedition

London Published May 1, 1815

Drawn by J. Jewett, Lieut Royal Marines

Gun Boats returning for the Reserve

Charwell
Part of the Reserve of De Watterville Regt

Star
Magnet
Montreal
Niagara

engraved by R. Havell

Plate 2


Date of Original
1815
Date Of Event
6 May 1814
Image Dimensions
Image Width: 53.6cm
Image Height: 43.6cm
Subject(s)
Forts & fortifications
Naval warfare
Local identifier
RCIN 735185.4.b
Collection
Royal Collection Trust
Language of Item
English
Geographic Coverage
  • Fort Ontario (historical)
    New York, United States
    Latitude: 43.4659 Longitude: -76.50828
  • Oswego
    New York, United States
    Latitude: 43.4944651351087 Longitude: -76.5283527832031
Copyright Statement
Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
Contact
Association for Great Lakes Maritime History
Website:
https://aglmh.net

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Storming Fort Oswego


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.