Battle of Fort Oswego

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Battle of Fort Oswego
Part of the French and Indian War
Date August 10-14, 1756
Location Oswego, New York
Result French victory
Belligerents
France Britain
Commanders
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm James Mercer †
Strength
3,000 2,000
Casualties and losses
30 dead or wounded 80 dead,
1,700 captured

The Battle of Fort Oswego was one in a series of early French victories in the North American theater of the Seven Years' War won in spite of New France's military vulnerability. On the week of August 10, 1756, a force of regulars and Canadian militia under General Montcalm captured and occupied the British fortifications at Fort Oswego, located in the modern-day city of Oswego, New York, near Syracuse.

In addition to 1,700 prisoners, Montcalm's force seized the fort's 121 cannons. The fall of Fort Oswego effectively interrupted American shipping on Lake Ontario and removed the threat to nearby Fort Frontenac. The battle was notable for demonstrating that traditional European siege tactics were viable on the North American battlefield when applied properly in the right circumstances and terrain.

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