Write a commentThe chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from members of the Fulton Noon Rotary, when the announcement came of Historian Bob Coant was to speak about the Battle of Battle Island, were satisfied Thursday, November 14.
The Club met in the meeting room of The Lock Restaurant where Coant presented what was the Battle at Battle Island. He had what pencil drawn photos he could find as the battle took place in 1754 during the French and Indian War.
The way to win a war in 1754 was to control waterways. No one thought the French would come to Oswego as they thought Niagara or Lake George was a more likely target. But the French came and ambushed Oswego. The Oswego River could take you from the Hudson River to the Great Lakes and from there trade could happen almost anywhere in the new world. This was important.
Colonel Bradstreet took his men and started off towards Oswego Falls in bateau boats. While on Starch Island they saw the French at Pine Creek area. Then they were on Battle Island. The battle took place on Battle Island and at Pine Creek. It started at around 3 pm and lasted 3 hours on June 3rd, 1754. The English suffered 20 losses and 24 wounded, but the French lost over 100 men. Coant explained that was the English version of the story. The French note there was only a couple of losses for them. Coant did state, however, that many drowned in the river.
Who won the Battle of Battle Island? Historian Coant assured that the river clearly was the winner here. And the Battle at Battle Island goes down in history.
The Fulton Noon Rotary meets every Thursday at noon at the Tavern on the Lock in Fulton.
