The First Battle of Sacket's Harbor (also spelled as Sackett's)[1] was fought on July 19, 1812, between the United States and the British Empire; it was the first engagement of the war between these forces.

It resulted in American forces repelling the attack on the village and its important shipbuilding yard, where 12 warships were built for this war.

With a good strategic position on the lake, abundant resources, and an excellent natural harbor, the small village of several hundred people was engulfed as it developed as the center of military and naval operations for the war's northern theater.

Following the first battle, the village and harbor were developed and fortified as a large and centralized military complex, served by several thousand troops[2] and 3,000 workers at the shipyard.

The force at that time in town was, besides the crew of Oneida, a regiment under Colonel Bellinger, a volunteer company of artillery under Captain Camp, and the militia.

[5] Towards the close of the action, as the flagship Royal George was maneuvering to fire another broadside, a 24-pound shot struck her stern and raked her whole length, killing eight men, and doing much damage.

On July 24, 1812, General Jacob Brown attributed the success of the day to the officers Woolsey, Bellinger, and Camp, in their respective capacities, and especially to the crew of the 32-pounder.