Prideaux's Campaign

— French & Indian War —

Bivouac For two days, July 2nd and 3rd, 1759, a force of 3,000 soldiers under the command of Brigidier General John Prideaux camped here. The army was advancing along the lake on a campaign from Oswego to Four Mile Creek, near Fort Niagara. Here they prepared for the eventual seige of Fort Niagara by conducting artillery drills, cooking rations, and checking personal weapons. Bird's Eye View of the Bay and Encampment from the North Loaded bateaux were hidden in the bay to avoid detection by French lake patrols. Camps were specifically arranged to insure unit integrity and allow quick and easy movement for unit assemblies and response to enemy attacks. Light infantry guarded the land side of the camp. Remains of Fort de Sables? The soldiers may have found evidence of earlier occupation. French fur trader Louis Thomas de Joncaire built a fur trading post here in 1716. American Indians probably built brush shelters on site. Basic Shelter Officers and men lodged in tents. Officer marquees, resembling small circus tents, provided more space compared to the enlisted mens' wedge tents. Captains and above had their own marquee, while lieutenants and ensigns billeted two to a tent. Five elisted men would share one wedge tent. Food Preparation While here, five-man groups were ordered to form a mess and prepare and cook a four day supply of food for the entire force. Food items commonly issued were beef, pork, peas, beans, rice and bread. Food was boiled in single cooking kettles over open fires. Weapons Inspection The soldiers' Brown Bess muskets were regularly inspected by a company grade officer to insure they were fully operational and clean. Orders stated that "all the mens' arms and cartouche boxes" were to be laid out so that "at a moments warning" the men could be battle ready. Artillery Drills A detachment of Royal Artillery was responsible for the cannon, howitzers, and mortars. Under the command of Captain Samuel Strachey, the artillerymen kept the guns operational. Early European Visitation 1759 Brigadier General John Prideaux's army camps here on its way to attack Fort Niagara. 1756 Captain John Bradstreet proposes once again to build "a fort and trading house" to secure Iroquois allegiance, but again no fort is built. 1754 English consider building a fort to counter French pressure on Seneca for their allegiance against the English, but fail to do so. 1721 English build Fort Schuyler nearby to compete with French fur trading efforts. 1716 Fort de Sables established by French merchant Thomas de Joncaire as a fur trading post to trade with Seneca. 1669 French explorer Robert Cavelier Lasalle visits on August 12. Major military campaigns followed the Great Lakes Seaway Trail.

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