Fort Tompkins
Buffalo, NY: Plaque located the left side of the BCB International building at 1010 Niagara Street near School Street.

History Beneath Illustrations



Image reprinted from the Internet.
Battery: "Historically the term "battery" referred to a cluster of cannon in action as a group, either in a temporary field position during a battle or at the siege of a fortress or a city." - Wikipedia: Artillery battery (online June 2017)




Note plaque at far left of building



Photo below taken during a different month:


Three details below:











Fort Tompkins

1812
Erie County, Buffalo, Niagara River.
Also called Fort Adams.
Likely named for Governor Daniel D. Tompkins.

Built in August 1812 on top of the bluff at the bend of Niagara Street. Location was street railway barns in 1914.

Large earthwork mounting seven guns, and was the largest of eight batteries erected that summer.

To the South was Old Sow Battery, and to the North was Gibson's Battery.

British attacked Black Rock July 1813 and destroyed the Black Rock Blockhouse and spiked or carried off the guns at Fort Tompkins.
- New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: Military History  (online August 2012)
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Old Sow Battery: 1812-14, Erie County, Buffalo. Near present City Water Plant, earthwork with one 8 inch Mortar.

Gibson's Battery, 1812-14, Erie County, Buffalo. Located a little South of Ferry Street on the high bank. Armed with three cannon. To its South was Fort Tompkins, and to the North was Dudley's Battery.

Dudley's Battery, 1812-14, Erie County, Buffalo. Just North of Ferry Street, no description of guns mounted. Gibson's Battery to its South, and Swift's Battery to its North.
Fort Tompkins

Fort Tompkins was one of several fortifications along the western edge of Buffalo on the Niagara River.

This particular area of the city has a large escarpment overlooking the river, affording excellent advantages to attackers from the water.

The fort here was built in August of 1812 and was made of earth. It contained seven mounted guns and was the largest battery built during that summer.



Research  by Ann Palmer
Page by Chuck LaChiusa in 2017
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