![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]") |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
 Posted - August 03 2006 : 9:25:24 PM
|
This is the press release for the event Aug. 11-13 at Fort Ontario, NY.
-----------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Paul Lear
315-343-4711
[Paul.Lear@oprhp.state.ny.us}
French and Indian War 250th Commemoration Battle Reenactment Event at Fort Ontario
[28 July 2006] The largest gathering of French and Indian War reenactors to ever assemble in central New York will meet at Fort Ontario State Historic Site on August 10 – 13, 2006, to recreate the 250th anniversary of the 1756 French capture and destruction of the three forts of Oswego. The sights, sounds, and smells of camp and garrison life of a fort under siege in the 18th century will greet visitors as part of the 250th commemoration of Major-General Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm’s first great victory over the British. This event, which achieved signature status by the 250th Commemoration Commission and the I Love New York Campaign, will feature around 1,000 British, French, Provincial, French Canadian Militia, Sailors, and Native American forces, plus oar and sail powered Bateaux, a tall ship, war canoes, cannon, merchants, fur traders, craftsmen, artists, fife and drum music, storytelling, children’s games, lectures, displays, and much more.
Oswego was once the scene of international rivalry between the French and British, and the location of one of the most important trading posts in America. Sometimes up to 300 traders operated out of Oswego with their own semi-permanent village of 70 log huts, situated in the vicinity of what is now Water Street. The first Fort Ontario was built in 1755 and was a simple eight-pointed wooden stockade. Along with Fort Oswego (b.1727) and Fort George (b.1755), these lonely outposts of the British lost about 300 men or half of their garrisons to disease, starvation, and exposure during the terrible winter of 1755-56. Reinforced in the spring, British and colonial troops were constantly harassed by scalping parties of Canadians and Indians. Most of these attacks originated from a secret advance French base established at “Cabin Cove,” today’s Sunset Bay. Fort Ontario was attacked by the French and Indians in May and June but held out. Historian John Gosek Jr. will discuss Montcalm’s campaign during his walking tour of Fort Ontario on Thursday, August 10, at 7:00 PM.
A convoy of bateaux, or flat bottomed supply boats, was ambushed on the Oswego River near modern Fulton/Minetto on July 3, 1756, but under their intrepid commander, John Bradstreet, these American colonials turned the tables on their attackers and defeated them near Battle Island, now a New York State Golf Course. On Friday afternoon, August 11, nearly 400 reenactors with bateaux and canoes will recreate the French and Native American attack on Bradstreet’s bateaux column on the original site. Because of the difficulty in reaching the island and lack of public viewing areas, this battle reenactment will be a reenactor and press only event.
In a massive attack in August, 1756, the French commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm led 4000 troops and Indians and with more than 25 pieces of heavy artillery, managed to get ashore at Baldwin’s Bay without detection. Quickly siege operations began against Fort Ontario which fell on Friday the 13th. Saturday’s battle at the fort will begin at 2:00 PM, and will start with the ambush of French Engineer Des Combles by his own Native American allies, and end with British and Provincial troops firing from the walls of Fort Ontario to drive away the French.
The big highlight of the weekend will be the massive artillery bombardment of Fort Oswego, represented by the H. Lee White Marine Museum, across the Oswego River from 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Fort Ontario will be kept op
|
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
|
report to moderator
|
|
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 17 2006 : 11:00:26 AM
|
Ya shoulda been there!!! Great place and great people.
Fort Ontario. Right on Lake Ontario beside the Oswego River.
This was taken standing in our camp looking toward the Native camp.
On the way home, I stopped by Fort Necessity. I picked up a copy of the surrender document at the gift shop. Neat!
And I made one more side-trip to Joumonville Glenn. If you go there, go by yourself.
And I have to say, the country on I-81 from the NY state line to Syracuse is really beautiful! Easy to see why the British wanted to steal it from the French.
|
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
report to moderator  |
|
|
Monadnock Guide
Council of Elders
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
March 14 2005
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 17 2006 : 11:29:32 AM
|
| Very interesting Fitz, - and some good links to say the least. |
you can keep "The Change" |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 17 2006 : 3:51:03 PM
|
There was a battle on Friday with the British in bateaux, but this ship was the best!!
 |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - August 19 2006 : 10:40:56 PM
|
Fitz, I had hoped to make a day trip up there on Sunday, but was not able to do so. However, there were a number of people from the Augusta and Weiser's Regiments there (a couple guys actually had some sort of spell put on them and went over to the dark side to fight with Le Fran-say) and all reports were that this was a great event. I would have loved to have been there.
You could have waved at me as you went through Binghamton! And I totally agree with you about the beauty of my part of the country. The area between Binghamton and Syracuse is gorgeous, as is the area in Leatherstocking Country. But my absolute favorite route to travel within NY is Rte 88 between Binghamton and Albany. Breathtaking! |
"It is more deeply stirring to my blood than any imaginings could possibly have been." |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 20 2006 : 12:44:39 AM
|
The entire length of I-81 is quite a trip. It starts near Martin's Station and goes all the way through VA, PA, and NY and covers some of the most historic areas in the country. Not to mention beautiful areas. Maybe this fall I am going to ride back up into VA and MD and just see the sights. The side trip over to Fort Necessity was a high point. It turns out that the Ranger/Interpreter there knows the Rangers at Cowpens, Kings Mountain, and Ninety Six, as well as some of the people in the 6th NC. We must have talked for an hour. I think he was glad to get to talk to someone other than the tourists. He was full of information that he normally doesn't get to give out to the tour groups. It was getting past time for the schedule I was on, so I told him I would have to leave if I was going to see Braddock. He said, "Don't worry. He's not going anywhere!" and continued to talk. Quite a guy! They all should be like him.
Next year is the Grand Encampment #3 in August at Crown Point, then William Henry in Sept. Looks like I am going to have to save up some gas money.
Been to Albany? See anything of Webb?
|
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
| report to moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!] |
© 1997-2024 - Mohican Press |
|
|
| Current Mohicanland page raised in 0.3 seconds |
 |
|
Oswego - Ft. Ontario
