Bauman, Sebastian (1739-1803) [Map of Forts Ontario and Oswego and surroundings]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10667 Author/Creator: Bauman, Sebastian (1739-1803) Place Written: Oswego, New York Type: Map Date: circa 1782-1783 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 35.6 x 46.1 cm. Order a Copy
Docketed as "A rough sketch of Oswego by Major Bauman." Shows Fort Ontario (captioned), Fort Oswego (uncaptioned) and surrounding features (possibly earthworks).
Circa date established by the dates Sebastian Bauman held the rank of major in the Continental Army (1778 to 1784), and the history of American efforts to take Fort Ontario. The fort was destroyed by a small American force in the summer of 1778. The British rebuilt the fort (for the third time) in 1782. This map is likely of the rebuilt fort. Later in 1782, George Washington charged Colonel Marinus Willett with the task of planning a raid to destroy Fort Ontario to make inroads on British influence in Iroquois country. Willett’s expedition failed in February, 1783. Because the Treaty of Paris would establish the Mississippi River as the westward boundary of the United States, Washington began to make plans for the occupation of Fort Ontario in the summer of 1783. However, Britain did not hand over the Fort and other western posts until after Jay’s Treaty was negotiated in 1794. (http://www.fortontario.com/History/History.html).
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.