Plattsburgh Battle Forts

Plattsburgh Battle Forts: 1814, Clinton County, Plattsburgh. On September 8, 1814, Capt.Downie (killed by early shot) of the British Navy engaged an American fleet under Lt. MacDonough in the Battle of Plattsburgh Bay. At the same time British troops advancing down the Beekmantown Road and along the lake under Gen Provost attempted to cross the Saranac River into Plattsburgh. Americans under Gen Macomb defended Platt's Point with three forts (Brown, Moreau and Scott) between the Saranac and the Lake, and breastworks at bridge sites made from blown-up bridges. Additionally three blockhouses guarded the river's mouth. The British land attack lasted 2 1/2 hours until the British fleet was defeated, and the British retired to Canada. In 1814, after the battle, two additional forts were constructed. Fort Tompkins south of Brown, and Fort Gaines south of Scott. This created a pentagon shapped complex when connected by curtain walls. Forty log barracks were later constructed within the complex which later became Plattsburgh Barracks.

For more information see www.historiclakes.org/Plattsburgh/Plattsburgh.html [link opens new window]

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