Canadian Campaign > Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

Background

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, which took place on May 10, 1775, was one of the early significant events of the American Revolutionary War. This surprise attack by American forces was instrumental in securing valuable artillery and boosting American morale during the early stages of the conflict.

Background:

1. Strategic Context:

   • Fort Ticonderoga, located on Lake Champlain in New York, was a strategically important British fortification. It controlled a vital route between Canada and the Hudson River Valley.
   • The fort, originally built by the French during the Seven Years' War, was lightly garrisoned by British troops in 1775.

2. American Objectives:

   • The American revolutionaries sought to capture Fort Ticonderoga to secure its large store of artillery, which they needed to break the British siege of Boston.
   • Leaders of the American forces, including Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys and Benedict Arnold, recognized the fort's strategic importance and planned a surprise attack.

The Capture:

1. American Forces:

   • The American force assembled for the attack consisted of about 83 Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and approximately 50 men led by Benedict Arnold. Although initially rivals for command, Allen and Arnold agreed to share leadership of the expedition.
   • The combined force of about 130 men set out from Castleton, Vermont, on the night of May 9, 1775.

2. Surprise Attack:

   • The Americans crossed Lake Champlain and landed near Fort Ticonderoga in the early hours of May 10, 1775. They approached the fort under the cover of darkness.
   • The fort was garrisoned by a small contingent of British troops, numbering only about 50 men, who were unprepared for an attack.

3. Capture of the Fort:

   • Just before dawn, the American force stormed the fort, catching the British garrison completely by surprise. The Americans entered the fort through a breach in the wall and quickly overwhelmed the sentries.
   • Ethan Allen reportedly demanded the surrender of the fort "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." The British commander, Captain William Delaplace, had no choice but to surrender without a fight.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Casualties:

   • The capture of Fort Ticonderoga was achieved with minimal casualties. The Americans did not suffer any significant losses, and the British garrison surrendered without resistance.

2. Strategic Consequences:

   • The capture of Fort Ticonderoga secured a large cache of artillery, including cannons, mortars, and other military supplies. These weapons were later transported by Colonel Henry Knox overland to Boston in a remarkable logistical feat known as the "Noble Train of Artillery."
   • The artillery from Fort Ticonderoga was used to fortify Dorchester Heights, leading to the eventual British evacuation of Boston in March 1776.

3. Boost to American Morale:

   • The successful capture of Fort Ticonderoga was a significant morale booster for the American revolutionaries. It demonstrated that they could successfully challenge British forces and seize important military assets.
   • The victory also helped to rally support for the revolutionary cause and encouraged further enlistments in the Continental Army.

Significance:

• Strategic Acquisition: The capture of Fort Ticonderoga provided the Continental Army with much-needed artillery and supplies, which played a crucial role in subsequent military operations, particularly in the Siege of Boston.
• Early American Victory: The successful attack was one of the first offensive actions taken by the American forces in the Revolutionary War, marking an important early victory and showing the potential of the revolutionary movement.
• Leadership and Cooperation: The capture highlighted the importance of cooperation among American leaders, as exemplified by the collaboration between Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold despite their initial rivalry.

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga remains a celebrated and pivotal moment in American Revolutionary War history, symbolizing the ingenuity and determination of the American forces in their fight for independence.

Canadian Campaign

• Invasion of Canada (1775)
• Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
• Siege of Fort Saint Jean
• Battle of Longue-Pointe
• Arnold's Expedition
• Battle of Quebec
• Battle of Saint-Pierre
• Battle of the Cedars
• Battle of Trois-Rivieres
• Battle of Valcour Island

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources