Battle of Big Sandy Creek: US capture of British sailors
- When
- 1814
- Where
- Big Sandy Creek, New York
- Episodes
- 3
The Battle of Big Sandy Creek occurred in northwestern New York on May 29–30, 1814. American troops and Oneida Indians attempted a surprise attack on British forces pursuing them inland from Lake Ontario. The element of surprise was lost when a boat was discovered, leading to a brief engagement where Americans won, though the British Navy maintained presence on the lake.
Episodes
- Attempted Surprise Attack
American troops and Oneida Indians attempted a surprise attack on British troops pursuing them inland from Lake Ontario.
- Brief Battle Engagement
A ten-minute battle ensued after American forces rose from concealment along the creek shoreline.
- Casualties and Capture
Official reports listed significant British casualties, including killed, wounded, and captured personnel.
Background and detail
Background. Following the British attack on Fort Oswego in May 1814, they withdrew to the Galloo Islands to monitor supplies heading to Sackets Harbor. Commodore Isaac Chauncey ordered Lieutenant Melancthon Taylor Woolsey to transport shipbuilding supplies from Oswego. This logistical mission set the stage for the confrontation at Big Sandy Creek.
Engagement. American forces hid along the shoreline, waiting for the British to advance inland. The British began cannonading from the mouth of the creek at 8 a.m. When the British progressed up the creek around 10 a.m., the Americans rose from concealment, resulting in a brief ten-minute battle.
Outcome. The Americans won the battle, but the British Navy maintained a presence on Lake Ontario. Casualties included 14 British killed, 28 wounded and captured, and 133 others taken prisoner, as listed in official reports from May 30.
People involved
- Melancthon Taylor Woolsey · Lieutenant
- Isaac Chauncey · Commodore
- Oneida Indians · Allied Forces
Sources
- Battle of Big Sandy Creek Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-21
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.