War of 1812 Fort in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Dedicated-- Part 2

The fort opened fire and set fire to one British barge and heavily damaged two others.  The British retreated and there were no American losses.

David Thommen has marked the fort's site with a replica of the Fort McHenry flag.

A stone was placed at the fort's site by the local historical society, but there was no dedication. The stone only reads "On this spot stood an American fort 1812." The land where the fort once stood is presently a village green.

There also had been a Revolutionary War battle fought there.

Thomman's home is located near where the old fort stood which is on Turkey Hill, the highest point in the Sag Harbor historic district.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Fort in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Dedicated-- Part 1

From the July 12, 2013, Newsday (NY) by Mitchell Freedman.

Sag Harbor history buff David Thommen says there isn't much information available on the action that took place at this largely forgotten fort.  As such, he is doing his own research and because of that, there will be a dedication for a no-longer existing fort on High Street in Sag Harbor.

The Battle of Sag Harbor took place on July 11, 1813.

Several vessels carrying 100 British troops heading for Sag Harbor were spotted by a 16-year-old from Amagansett who warned the Americans at the fort (which may have been called Turkey Hill).  The fort was manned by 60 troops and a cannon (or perhaps more).

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Sag Harbor, NY-- Part 2

From the 7-12-13, Newsday (NY) "Fort from War of 1812 dedicated in Sag Harbor" by Mitchell Freedman.

Sag Harbor history buff David Thommen wants to right an oversight and that would be a War of 1812 battle that took place in his Sag Harbor that has been mostly overlooked. There just isn't much information on it, but he has been doing a lot of research and has come up with a history of it.

As a result of it, there wiill be a dedication for a long-gone fort on the town's High Street on July 13, 2013, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Sag Harbor.

Several vessels carrying 100 British troops were spotted by a 16-year-old from Amagansett who warned the garrison at the fort (which may have been called Turkey Hill). That fort was manned by 60 militia and two cannons.

A Forgotten Battle In a Not-So-Forgotten War. --Brock-Perry

Sag Harbor Victory Observed

From the 7-11-13, Sag Harbor (NY) Express "War of 1812 Victory Observed in Sag Harbor" by Emily J. Weitz.

On July 11, 1813, five barges of British troops approached Sag Harbor. According to U.S. General Abraham Ross, they were met with a "reception so warm and spirited from our militia that they abandoned their formation and retreated."

The Americans had a strong fort on a hill with a 9-pound and 18-pound cannon. The British had about 100 men with them. Henry Green and John Gunn were sentinels on the wharf and spread the word that the British were coming.

The British wanted the port for its deep-water harbor They also had a blockade to prevent trade between New York and the rest of the world.

Yet another reason for the attack was that the five British ships off the coast needed provisions of food and fresh water.

The British landed and the Americans held their fire and opened a warm volley upon the British.

Just One of Those Battles That You Don't Hear About. --Brock-Perry