A little-known battle during the beginning of the French and Indian War in New York State played a significant role in the fur trade between the French, the Dutch, and the English at that time.
In 1756, a young French Lieutenant, Gaspard Joseph Chaussegros de Lery, was stationed at Fort La Presentation, located at the confluence of St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers, and what was at that time northern New York State. It would be from that fort that Lieutenant de Lery would at the request of the King, lead an army of 362 men on a treacherous journey of 130 miles, to capture a small fort, named Fort Bull that was occupied by a tiny garrison of thirty men. Fort Bull was a small stockade-built fort that held supplies and ammunition, such as cannon balls, shells, grenades, and gunpowder to support the English in the war and their trade efforts. De Lery’s journey from La Presentation, down the western side of New York State in the winter of March of 1756 to attack Ft. Bull was a formidable task due to hunger, sickness among his men, desertions, and relentless, blustery cold.
His army consisted of Indians from Canada, and the Iroquois Tribe from Sault St. Louis. Also included were Canadian bush fighters, and regulars, as well as men from the Queen's Regiment. Capturing the tiny fort located on what was called the “Oneida Carry”, or “The Carry” a strip of dense forest and swamp situated not far from the Mohawk River in what is now Oneida County New York, would be a major win for the de Lery and the French. It would mean that they would cut off a major supply line of the English. And bring the French much closer to securing control of the trade market.
“The Carry” was first used by Dutch fur traders in the mid-1600s. This small parcel of land had a tiny creek that traversed its way from Oneida Lake to the Mohawk River. Using “The Carry” was a faster way to make trips to the Mohawk River, which was a main water route to Canada. By using batteaux, which were flat-bottomed boats, pointed at both ends, the fur traders would move supplies and their wares along Wood Creek, through “The Carry” from Oneida Lake, to the Mohawk River. “
Fort Bull was situated on “The Carry.” It was located there as an easy means to move supplies and ammunition that were needed for the English in their struggle to control the war.
After a grueling sixteen-day march, de Lery and his men attacked and destroyed Fort Bull. The English regimen at the fort were murdered and massacred. The fort was set on fire and caused a massive explosion of forty thousand pounds of gunpowder. The explosion was so fierce that even today, fragments of the explosion are being found on surrounding farmlands more than a mile away.
And after years of exhaustive research including visits to archives regarding this battle, I finally had the opportunity to film the challenging route de Lery and his men had taken from La Presentation, down to Fort Bull during the winter month of March 1756.
As we filmed, we were also metal detecting areas where I believed de Lery and his men had set up encampments, hoping to find relics that would solidify my research of his route.
John DeCharo, (R.I.P. My Friend) my cohost, and I along with our film crew, devoted weeks traveling de Lery’s route, and metal detecting along the way.
F.W. Pandozzi
“Dear Frank and John,
My family feels blessed to have watched your TV video series, Fort Bull. That video series and the rest of the videos would be a great way to teach and stimulate students to learn the early history of our country.
I have requested that our local school libraries have the Exploring History’s Treasures DVDs for lending.
Thank you, God bless.
Carl A.
PA.”
“Hey, Frank,
Thanks for speaking to my 9th-grade history classes. The students loved your talk and “The March to Ft. Bull” DVD. You magically captured their interest with your knowledge. And your use of the artifacts and the metal detector was an added bonus for them to see.
Anytime that I can help students excitingly connect to history, creates a learning experience they will never forget. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and your time with my students.
Thank You,
Adam, PA Teacher”
“I have been teaching local history for 22 years. And when Mr. Pandozzi came to our Junior high class with a video of his TV series, my classes were speechless. I think they learned more from his series in one viewing than what I tried to teach in an entire semester.”
Mary B. Teacher”