The British attacked Ogdensburgh in four phases with a two-pronged assault across the ice from Fort Wellington. In the first phase, one column of 300 Prescott militia and British military advanced against Forsyth's rifle regiment at the old French Fort, Fort La Presentation, while another force moved against the village. Forsyth's troops opened fire, and the attackers, mired in deep snow along the shores, broke formation and retreated. In the second phase, a larger force of 500 men crossed the ice to attack the village of Ogdensburgh, which had only about 50 volunteer militia to defend it, while Forsyth's rifle company, already under attack, could not help. In the third phase, Colonel McDonnell led his 500 men into the village, moving past the outnumbered Americans by way of Caroline Street, Gertrude Street, Washington Street, State Street, and Ford Street, and overran two cannon near Ford and State Streets that were commanded by Captain Giles Kellogg and Sheriff Joseph York. In the fourth phase, after taking the cannon, McDonnell's men quickly overran the rest of the thinly defended village, hauled the captured guns to Parish's store, lined up along the east shore of the Oswegatchie facing Forsyth's troops, and, joined by reinforcements from the force of 300, brought their guns and cannon to bear across the mouth of the Oswegatchie. McDonnell then sent envoys demanding Forsyth's surrender and warning that refusal would bring death by bayonet; Forsyth refused but quietly ordered his men to slip away, and the massed British forces attacked the empty fort.