Battle of Fort Oswego, NY (Battle of Oswego)-- Part 1: Naval Arms Race on Lake Ontario

From Wikipedia.

I have been referring to this as the battle of Oswego.

The article considered the British attack on the American fort and village as "partially successful."  The battle led directly from the naval arms race on Lake Ontario.  Both the Americans and British were building two frigates apiece as 1814 opened.  The two British frigates (HMS Prince Regent and HMS Princess Charlotte) were finished at Kingston, Upper Canada, in April.

British commander James Yeo knew that the American frigates were stronger and quickly nearing completion, so he decided to strike while he had the edge.  His first thought was the main American naval base at Sackets Harbor, NY, but he did not have enough troops and Canada's Governor General, Lt. Gen. George Prevost refused to give him any more soldiers.

So, he and Drummond decided to attack the weaker Fort Oswego and village of Oswego farther down the Lake Ontario shore.    It was a major American staging point and still had importance.

--Brock-Perry