Rome in Oneida County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Unrealized Expectations

— Fort Stanwix National Monument —

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2010

1. Unrealized Expectations Marker

Inscription. The British gun battery of four cannons and four mortars was located near the brick-red high rise building you see today in front of you. These relatively small weapons were unable to cause significant damage to the fort.

British commander Barry St. Leger ignored advice to bring larger cannons. He was expecting near-deserted and ramshackle defenses. Instead he encountered several hundred men making the finishing touches to the fort bastion (the point of the fort) behind you. The fort's commander later admitted that, if St. Leger's had come better prepared, the fort "Must inevitably have fallen."

The British gun battery was protected by fascines, bundles of brush bound tightly and set horizontally into a wall of earth.

My reconoitering party returned and met me with five prisoners...Talking over the intelligence the rebel prisoners gave, [St. Leger] owned that if they intended to defend themselves in that fort our artillery was not sufficient to take it.
Col. Daniel Claus to Secretary Knox, 1777

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 43°

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12.666′ N, 75° 27.247′ W. Marker is in Rome, New York, in Oneida County. Marker can be reached from East Park Street south of Spring Street. This historical marker is located in the Fort Stanwix National Monument, just outside of the reconstructed fort, in front of the northeast bastion, along a walking path. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rome NY 13440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Water for the Garrison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Family Quarters (about 300 feet away); Junior Officers’ Quarters (about 300 feet away); Commandant’s Quarters (about 300 feet away); Soldiers’ Quarters: Barracks Building (about 300 feet away); Orderly Room (about 300 feet away); Artillerymen (about 300 feet away); Surgeon’s Day Room (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rome.

More about this marker. This marker is part of a walking tour that goes around the outer perimeter of Fort Stanwix.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2010

2. Unrealized Expectations Marker

Close-up view of the map that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2010

3. Unrealized Expectations Marker

View of the historical marker looking off in the direction of where the British cannon would have been located.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2010

4. Unrealized Expectations Marker

View of the historical marker from it's backside looking towards the northeast bastion of the reconstructed fort and looking down the walking path towards the fort's water gate.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 15, 2010

5. Unrealized Expectations Marker

A distant view of the historical marker as seen from the area of the fort's water gate. Also there is a distant view of the high brick structure that the historical marker indicates was the location of the British cannon.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 657 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 6, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.