An American flotilla carrying critical shipbuilding supplies to Sackets Harbor was forced to land along South Sandy Creek after British gunboats spotted and chased it into the creek. Near this spot, Major Appling's 120 riflemen, 150 Oneida Indian warriors, and Captain Woolsey ambushed a pursuing British force of 180 seamen and marines in 7 gunboats and cutters. Under cover of night, Woolsey had transported men and vital supplies to the military and shipbuilding center at Sackets Harbor and planned to land at Stoney Creek, but the British entered the creek, opened fire, landed troops on both sides, and advanced toward the supplies. The Americans took positions in a small grove of trees, fired on the British, inflicted heavy casualties, and captured the entire landing force. In the short but sharp action, 18 British were killed, 50 wounded, and the rest captured. Although the Americans won the battle, the British still controlled the lake, so the overland route became the Americans' only option. Ox carts carried most of the supplies, but a heavy cable had to be carried centipede-style, with around 100 men at a time bearing about 100 pounds each on their shoulders for 20 miles to Sackets Harbor, relieved by new recruits as they tired.