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On May 10, 1775, during the American Revolution, the Green Mountain Boys captured Fort Ticonderoga in New York. From the article:
"The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War. On May 10, 1775, Benedict Arnold of Massachusetts joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont in a dawn attack on the fort, surprising and capturing the sleeping British garrison. Although it was a small-scale conflict, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War, and would give the Continental Army much-needed artillery to be used in future battles.
Background of Fort Ticonderoga
In 1755, French settlers in North America began building a military fortification, Fort Carillon, on the western shore of Lake Champlain. Because of its location, which offered access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley, the fort saw more fighting during the French and Indian War than any other post. In July 1758, British forces unsuccessfully attacked the fort, suffering heavy casualties. Under the command of General Jeffrey Amherst, the British returned the following year and were able to defeat the French, who destroyed much of Fort Carillon and withdrew to Canada.
With the fort now under their control, the British renamed it Fort Ticonderoga. By April 1775, when hostilities broke out between colonial militiamen and British soldiers at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga numbered barely 50 men.
A Surprise Attack
Fort Ticonderoga was located directly across Lake Champlain from Vermont, where the Green Mountain Boys–a militia organized in 1770 to defend the property rights of local landowners–joined the revolutionary effort without hesitation. On the morning of May 10, 1775, fewer than a hundred of these militiamen, under the joint command of their leader, Ethan Allen, and Benedict Arnold of Massachusetts, crossed Lake Champlain at dawn, surprising and capturing the still-sleeping British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga.
As the first rebel victory of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga served as a morale booster and provided key artillery for the Continental Army in that first year of war. Cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga would be used during the successful Siege of Boston the following spring. Because of its location, the fort would also serve as a staging ground for Continental troops before their planned invasion of British-held territory in Canada.
The Revolution & Beyond
Also in 1776, a fleet of small warships under the command of Benedict Arnold fought the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain. In July 1777, Fort Ticonderoga changed hands again, after British General John Burgoyne managed to place a cannon on Mount Defiance and force Ticonderoga’s garrison under General Arthur St. Clair to evacuate. The Redcoats finally abandoned the fort permanently that November, following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, no military regiment would occupy Fort Ticonderoga, though at times the fort provided shelter for scouting parties or raiding detachments. In 1816, a New York merchant named William F. Pell began leasing the grounds of the fort. He bought the property in 1820, building a summer home there known as The Pavilion, which in 1840 was converted into a hotel to house a growing numbers of tourists in the area. In 1908, Stephen Pell began a restoration of Fort Ticonderoga; the fort opened to the public as a tourist attraction the following year."
"The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War. On May 10, 1775, Benedict Arnold of Massachusetts joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont in a dawn attack on the fort, surprising and capturing the sleeping British garrison. Although it was a small-scale conflict, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War, and would give the Continental Army much-needed artillery to be used in future battles.
Background of Fort Ticonderoga
In 1755, French settlers in North America began building a military fortification, Fort Carillon, on the western shore of Lake Champlain. Because of its location, which offered access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley, the fort saw more fighting during the French and Indian War than any other post. In July 1758, British forces unsuccessfully attacked the fort, suffering heavy casualties. Under the command of General Jeffrey Amherst, the British returned the following year and were able to defeat the French, who destroyed much of Fort Carillon and withdrew to Canada.
With the fort now under their control, the British renamed it Fort Ticonderoga. By April 1775, when hostilities broke out between colonial militiamen and British soldiers at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga numbered barely 50 men.
A Surprise Attack
Fort Ticonderoga was located directly across Lake Champlain from Vermont, where the Green Mountain Boys–a militia organized in 1770 to defend the property rights of local landowners–joined the revolutionary effort without hesitation. On the morning of May 10, 1775, fewer than a hundred of these militiamen, under the joint command of their leader, Ethan Allen, and Benedict Arnold of Massachusetts, crossed Lake Champlain at dawn, surprising and capturing the still-sleeping British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga.
As the first rebel victory of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga served as a morale booster and provided key artillery for the Continental Army in that first year of war. Cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga would be used during the successful Siege of Boston the following spring. Because of its location, the fort would also serve as a staging ground for Continental troops before their planned invasion of British-held territory in Canada.
The Revolution & Beyond
Also in 1776, a fleet of small warships under the command of Benedict Arnold fought the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain. In July 1777, Fort Ticonderoga changed hands again, after British General John Burgoyne managed to place a cannon on Mount Defiance and force Ticonderoga’s garrison under General Arthur St. Clair to evacuate. The Redcoats finally abandoned the fort permanently that November, following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, no military regiment would occupy Fort Ticonderoga, though at times the fort provided shelter for scouting parties or raiding detachments. In 1816, a New York merchant named William F. Pell began leasing the grounds of the fort. He bought the property in 1820, building a summer home there known as The Pavilion, which in 1840 was converted into a hotel to house a growing numbers of tourists in the area. In 1908, Stephen Pell began a restoration of Fort Ticonderoga; the fort opened to the public as a tourist attraction the following year."
The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Posted from history.com
War of Independence
World History
American History
Military History
Combat
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History...Where it Happened - Anniversary Special 03.18.15
May 10, 2015 marks the 240th anniversary of Ethan Allen's capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
Thank you my friend SGT (Join to see) for reminding us about the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in New York by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont.
As a young man, I spent a couple summer months in succeeding years camped with my family on lake George which is south of Ticonderoga. I spent some fun times scampering over Fort Ticonderoga.
History...Where it Happened - Anniversary Special 03.18.15
May 10, 2015 marks the 240th anniversary of Ethan Allen's capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCktUA3iTPg
Images:
1. May 10, 1775 - Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, capture the British-held fortress at Ticonderoga, New York.
2. Detail of a map showing Fort Ticonderoga. Library of Congress
3. Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the 'Green Mountain Boys' taking the captured British guns from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in 1775
4. Green Mountain Boys at Hand's Cove painting by Julian Scott, shows troops of Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold gathered to take Fort Ticonderoga.
Background from {[https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/capture-of-fort-ticonderoga.html]}
Intelligence Throughout History: The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, 1775
The Intelligence Community today draws wisdom and inspiration from the past. The following article is the second in a series showcasing exceptional intelligence stories from history. This article focuses on the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
* * * * *
The capture of Fort Ticonderoga, New York, was an early example of how skillful initial use of intelligence could contribute to successful military campaigns for months and years afterward. In this instance, good scouting and bold steps by the Americans, together with poor situational awareness on the part of the British, combined in a tactical victory with great strategic implications.
Fort Ticonderoga’s Importance
Fort Ticonderoga formed a major French strongpoint during the French and Indian War (1756-1763). While it never fell to British forces, it was surrendered upon the French defeat. From then on, Fort Ticonderoga was manned by a skeleton British garrison and soon fell into disrepair. By the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775, Ticonderoga was all but forgotten.
Ticonderoga sat astride the inland water route linking New York City and Canada, making it a vital strategic supply and communications link. Patriot forces had clashed with British regulars at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, in April 1775, and had considerable interest in the fort's armaments and location. In addition, according to intelligence gathered by Patriot sympathizers, the fort still contained munitions and artillery badly need by the fledgling American Continental Army.
Mission to Capture the Fort
An expedition of 400 men under Benedict Arnold was soon mounted to capture the fort. Arnold, given a colonel's commission by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, soon rendezvoused with Ethan Allen, who commanded a Vermont militia force known as the Green Mountain Boys. Allen, also elected a colonel, entered into a shared command agreement with Arnold after his Green Mountain Boys protested serving under a man who hailed from outside Vermont.
By 2 a.m. on May 10, 1775, the American force had assembled on the shores of Lake Champlain opposite Fort Ticonderoga. Scouting units had gathered sufficient intelligence to determine that the garrison consisted of only 42 men, wholly unaware of the approaching Patriot force.
The same scouts had also noted, however, that only two boats were available to transport the attacking force across the lake. With so few boats available, Arnold and Allen divided their men and decided to cross in turn. They piled 83 men into the two boats and successfully crossed the lake unheard or observed. Yet as dawn approached, concerns arose to the possibility of alarming the sleeping garrison as the Patriot forces continued to shuttle across Lake Champlain. Fearful of losing the element of surprise, the Americans attacked Ticonderoga's south gate, manned by a single British sentry. The attackers roused the fort commander from his bed, and Arnold reputedly demanded the fort's surrender "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." The fort fell without casualties and without a shot being fired.
Immediate and Future Impact
The victory at Fort Ticonderoga emboldened Patriot spirits as news spread throughout the 13 colonies. In addition, the fort served as a base for the subsequent capture of Fort Crown Point further to the north and as a bridgehead for Arnold's army then preparing to invade British Canada.
Most important, however, the artillery and munitions alleviated the Continental Army's immediate need for heavier weapons. Indeed, its 43 cannons and 16 mortars were soon dragged over the Adirondack Mountains and delivered to Gen. Henry Knox who used them against British forces in Boston. Positioned on Dorchester Heights, then outside the city, the Ticonderoga artillery in Patriot hands soon made a continued British presence in Boston impossible, forcing their retreat in March 1776 to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The early capture of this strategic fort had an impact years later. Due to the loss of Ticonderoga, the route between the British forces in Canada and those in New York City was severed, forcing the British to reform their command structure by splitting Canadian and American commands. Later, the difficulties and failures of these separated commands to coordinate their efforts proved crucial to the American victory at Saratoga in 1777."
Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for mentioning me.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Capt Jeff S. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Cpl (Join to see) CPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones SSG Donald H "Don" Bates SPC Margaret Higgins Sgt Kelli Mays Sgt (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White LCDR Clark Paton MSgt David Hoffman LTC John Shaw LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Greg Henning
As a young man, I spent a couple summer months in succeeding years camped with my family on lake George which is south of Ticonderoga. I spent some fun times scampering over Fort Ticonderoga.
History...Where it Happened - Anniversary Special 03.18.15
May 10, 2015 marks the 240th anniversary of Ethan Allen's capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCktUA3iTPg
Images:
1. May 10, 1775 - Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, capture the British-held fortress at Ticonderoga, New York.
2. Detail of a map showing Fort Ticonderoga. Library of Congress
3. Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the 'Green Mountain Boys' taking the captured British guns from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in 1775
4. Green Mountain Boys at Hand's Cove painting by Julian Scott, shows troops of Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold gathered to take Fort Ticonderoga.
Background from {[https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/capture-of-fort-ticonderoga.html]}
Intelligence Throughout History: The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, 1775
The Intelligence Community today draws wisdom and inspiration from the past. The following article is the second in a series showcasing exceptional intelligence stories from history. This article focuses on the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
* * * * *
The capture of Fort Ticonderoga, New York, was an early example of how skillful initial use of intelligence could contribute to successful military campaigns for months and years afterward. In this instance, good scouting and bold steps by the Americans, together with poor situational awareness on the part of the British, combined in a tactical victory with great strategic implications.
Fort Ticonderoga’s Importance
Fort Ticonderoga formed a major French strongpoint during the French and Indian War (1756-1763). While it never fell to British forces, it was surrendered upon the French defeat. From then on, Fort Ticonderoga was manned by a skeleton British garrison and soon fell into disrepair. By the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775, Ticonderoga was all but forgotten.
Ticonderoga sat astride the inland water route linking New York City and Canada, making it a vital strategic supply and communications link. Patriot forces had clashed with British regulars at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, in April 1775, and had considerable interest in the fort's armaments and location. In addition, according to intelligence gathered by Patriot sympathizers, the fort still contained munitions and artillery badly need by the fledgling American Continental Army.
Mission to Capture the Fort
An expedition of 400 men under Benedict Arnold was soon mounted to capture the fort. Arnold, given a colonel's commission by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, soon rendezvoused with Ethan Allen, who commanded a Vermont militia force known as the Green Mountain Boys. Allen, also elected a colonel, entered into a shared command agreement with Arnold after his Green Mountain Boys protested serving under a man who hailed from outside Vermont.
By 2 a.m. on May 10, 1775, the American force had assembled on the shores of Lake Champlain opposite Fort Ticonderoga. Scouting units had gathered sufficient intelligence to determine that the garrison consisted of only 42 men, wholly unaware of the approaching Patriot force.
The same scouts had also noted, however, that only two boats were available to transport the attacking force across the lake. With so few boats available, Arnold and Allen divided their men and decided to cross in turn. They piled 83 men into the two boats and successfully crossed the lake unheard or observed. Yet as dawn approached, concerns arose to the possibility of alarming the sleeping garrison as the Patriot forces continued to shuttle across Lake Champlain. Fearful of losing the element of surprise, the Americans attacked Ticonderoga's south gate, manned by a single British sentry. The attackers roused the fort commander from his bed, and Arnold reputedly demanded the fort's surrender "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." The fort fell without casualties and without a shot being fired.
Immediate and Future Impact
The victory at Fort Ticonderoga emboldened Patriot spirits as news spread throughout the 13 colonies. In addition, the fort served as a base for the subsequent capture of Fort Crown Point further to the north and as a bridgehead for Arnold's army then preparing to invade British Canada.
Most important, however, the artillery and munitions alleviated the Continental Army's immediate need for heavier weapons. Indeed, its 43 cannons and 16 mortars were soon dragged over the Adirondack Mountains and delivered to Gen. Henry Knox who used them against British forces in Boston. Positioned on Dorchester Heights, then outside the city, the Ticonderoga artillery in Patriot hands soon made a continued British presence in Boston impossible, forcing their retreat in March 1776 to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The early capture of this strategic fort had an impact years later. Due to the loss of Ticonderoga, the route between the British forces in Canada and those in New York City was severed, forcing the British to reform their command structure by splitting Canadian and American commands. Later, the difficulties and failures of these separated commands to coordinate their efforts proved crucial to the American victory at Saratoga in 1777."
Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for mentioning me.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Capt Jeff S. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Cpl (Join to see) CPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones SSG Donald H "Don" Bates SPC Margaret Higgins Sgt Kelli Mays Sgt (Join to see) SFC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White LCDR Clark Paton MSgt David Hoffman LTC John Shaw LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Greg Henning
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FYI LTC Greg Henning Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price 1SG Walter Craig CWO3 Dennis M. [SSG William Jones PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO3 Bob McCord SPC Nancy Greene CPT Paul Whitmer SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik SP5 Jeannie Carle SPC Randy Zimmerman SSG Robert Mark OdomSPC Matthew LambSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn BrackinSSG Samuel KermonSP5 Geoffrey Vannerson
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LTC Stephen F.
FYI SFC John Lich SSG Robert "Rob" WentworthCapt Rich BuckleyCW4 G.L. SmithSFC Terry WilcoxPO2 Roger Lafarlette
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PO3 Bob McCord -
Image: USS Ticonderoga CV-14 conventionally-powered aircraft carrier was commissioned during WWII and fought in the Pacific Ocean in several naval campaigns.
Image: USS Ticonderoga CV-14 conventionally-powered aircraft carrier was commissioned during WWII and fought in the Pacific Ocean in several naval campaigns.
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LTC Stephen F. SP5 Mark Kuzinski COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. "Bill"Price SPC Margaret HigginsMaj Bill Smith, Ph.D.SGT Steve McFarlandLTC (Join to see) PO3 Craig Phillips Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll PO1 H Gene Lawrence TSgt Joe C. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Sgt (Join to see)SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG Donald H "Don" Bates Cpl (Join to see) PVT Mark Zehner
LTC Stephen F. SP5 Mark Kuzinski COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. "Bill"Price SPC Margaret HigginsMaj Bill Smith, Ph.D.SGT Steve McFarlandLTC (Join to see) PO3 Craig Phillips Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll PO1 H Gene Lawrence TSgt Joe C. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Sgt (Join to see)SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG Donald H "Don" Bates Cpl (Join to see) PVT Mark Zehner
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