Fort Ticonderoga: A Strategic Landmark Where History, Initiative, and Hard Work Collided
Hey everyone, Dan Blanchard here, bringing you a historical journey from Fort Ticonderoga! This site isn’t just a historical landmark; it’s a place brimming with fascinating stories and crucial lessons for today.
What’s in a Name? The Land Between Two Waters
First, let’s talk about the name. “Ticonderoga” is actually a modified version of an Indigenous word that means “the land in between two waters”. And it truly lives up to its name, strategically located between Lake Champlain and Lake George. This unique position made it incredibly important throughout history, especially during the American Revolutionary War. In fact, it’s so ingrained in the local culture that the school district here only allows Ticonderoga pencils!
The Daring Capture of 1775: A Surprise Attack
Picture this: it’s 1775, and the British soldiers at the fort didn’t even realize the Revolutionary War had officially begun. Word traveled slowly back then. But George Washington, recognizing the strategic importance of the cannons at Ticonderoga for the siege of Boston, had a plan.
- Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys: Commissioned by Connecticut, they set out to take the fort.
- Benedict Arnold’s Role: Massachusetts also commissioned Benedict Arnold, a Connecticut native, to lead an expedition.
- An Unsuspecting Garrison: Both groups converged on an unsuspecting British “skeleton crew” that included soldiers, their wives, and children. They caught the British sleeping, leaving them no choice but to hand over the fort without a fight. Remember, the British soldiers hadn’t received any word on the happenings of Boston.
This swift victory was monumental! Henry Knox then orchestrated the incredible feat of transporting these cannons to Boston, placing them overlooking Boston Bay. Faced with this new threat, the British had no option but to evacuate Boston, returning it to the colonists. The captured British soldiers and their families from Fort Ticonderoga were marched to Hartford, Connecticut, as prisoners.
The “Battle Never Fought” of 1776: Fortification is Key
The British knew they needed Ticonderoga back. Over the next year, the colonists engaged in an incredible, almost unbelievable amount of work fortifying the fort. They built enormous earthworks, creating above-ground trench systems using interlocking trees, often on top of old French lines from 1758 that had previously held back the British. They worked tirelessly to make it impenetrable.
By 1776, Washington was struggling, having lost New York City. The British were gaining ground, and if they took Fort Ticonderoga, it could have been “lights out” for the Continental Army. Control of the Hudson River would be lost, and New England, considered the “troublemakers,” would be cut off, potentially ending the war.
However, when the British arrived in 1776, they were confronted with how incredibly well-fortified the fort had become. Realizing it would be impossible to take, they turned around and left without firing a shot! This “battle never fought” was arguably one of the most important moments of the war, allowing the Continental Army to survive and continue the fight.
1777: A Recapture That Didn’t Matter
Eventually, many of the colonists at Ticonderoga moved south to aid Washington’s army and state militias, where much of the fighting occurred. The British did return in 1777 and overran the remaining skeleton crew, recapturing the fort. However, by this point, its impact was less significant. Washington was racking up victories further south, the French had joined the war after their Saratoga win, aided by a heroic effort by Benedict Arnold for the colonists. The American victory was now becoming inevitable.
Strategic Vantage Points: Mount Defiance and Mount Independence
From the fort, you can see key surrounding areas like Mount Defiance, where cannons were positioned, and Mount Independence, which housed many New England soldiers. These were a key component to the complex interlocking system of defense guarding the fort.
A Leadership Lesson from Fort Ticonderoga
What can we learn from Fort Ticonderoga? The leadership lesson here is clear:
- Take Initiative: Just as Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold did in 1775 by boldly moving to capture the fort and its vital cannons.
- Do the Work: The sheer, unbelievable amount of effort put into fortifying the fort in 1776 made it impenetrable and deterred a British attack, allowing the Continental Army to continue fighting and ultimately win the Revolutionary War.
Leadership requires both bold initiative and incredible hard work. Fort Ticonderoga stands as a testament to that powerful combination.
This is Dan Blanchard, mixing travel, history, and leadership lessons. Thanks for joining me on this journey!
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
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*Watch Dan’s YouTube vidoe on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4C6Dn1Dr1o
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*See Dan’s Interview with Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/travel-in-time-with-dan-12-interview-from-the-past-with-ethan-allen-and-benedict-arnold/
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