A white flag was hoisted over Fort Oswego on the west side of the mouth of the Oswego River at around 10 a.m. on Aug. 14, 1756. Two British officers came out to negotiate terms of surrender, and all firing of cannon back and forth across the river ceased. French Major-General Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm sent an officer across the river to tell the British commander “the garrison should render themselves prisoners of war and that the French troops should forthwith take possession” of Oswego.

It was an inglorious end to a disastrous British campaign that intended to use Oswego as a base to invade New France (Canada). It was also the first of Montcalm’s three great victories over the British in the French and Indian War (1754-1763).

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, Oswego City officials, historians and others will gather at the Fort Oswego Boulder Monument to remember and commemorate the siege and surrender of Fort Oswego on its 266th anniversary. They will also dedicate the Fort Oswego Boulder Monument to those who fought and fell during the two-day siege and its aftermath. The public is cordially invited to attend this free event at the corner of West First and Van Buren streets in Oswego and encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and refreshments.

Oswego City Historian Mark Slosek will provide opening remarks and act as master of ceremonies for the event which will observe, mark and make history. SUNY Oswego History Professor Richard T. Weyhing, Ph.D. will describe Oswego’s significant role in the French and Indian War, and the repercussions of its loss which resounded worldwide. French and Indian War Historian George A. Bray III will discuss the forces and the actions of the August 13-14 siege and surrender.

The Fort Oswego Boulder Monument was originally located at the corner of West First and Lake streets. Oswego County Historian Justin White will share the story of who conceived of the monument, who paid for it and why it was placed there. City of Oswego Seventh Ward Councilor Robert Corradino will continue the monument’s interesting story from its initial erection up to its relocation in 2021.

Corradino will also introduce two new interpretive panels written and designed by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation staff. One, describing the history of the Fort Oswego Boulder Monument, will be revealed by City of Oswego First Ward Councilperson Susan McBrearty, in whose ward it resides, and by Marilyn Huntingdon, a Friends of Fort Ontario-funded Oswego County AmeriCorps member, whose research was used in the panel. The second panel describes the history of the siege and surrender of Fort Oswego. It will be revealed by Fort Ontario Historic Site Assistant Danielle Funiciello, who designed the panels, and Historic Site Manager Paul Lear, who wrote the scripts.

Bugler Corey S. King of Fort Ontario will play “The Last Post, Aux Morts, and Taps,” and the Fort Ontario Guard will provide a musket salute. The Reverend George DeMass will conduct a Benediction. Paul Lear will provide closing remarks.

For more information on the Fort Oswego Monument dedication event, contact Paul Lear at 315-343-4711 or paul.lear@parks.ny.gov.  

 AN INGLORIOUS END – Engraving depicts the French victory over British troops at Fort Oswego in 1756. Join officials and historians in dedicating the Fort Oswego Boulder Monument located at West First and Van Buren streets in Oswego. The event begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14. Image provided by Fort Ontario State Historic Site.

 MARKING THE OCCASION – Fort Ontario State Historic Site staff stand by the Fort Oswego Boulder Monument at West First and Van Buren streets with a white flag commemorating the siege and surrender of Fort Oswego in August 1756. Join officials and historians in dedicating the monument at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14. Photo courtesy of Fort Ontario State Historic Site.