Ticonderoga in the Revolutionary War
When, in 1775, it became apparent that war was inevitable,
the importance of the strong fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on Lake
Champlain, and their possession, became subjects of earnest consultation among
patriots. The subject was talked of in the Connecticut legislature after the
affair at Lexington, and several gentlemen formed the bold design of attempting
their capture by surprise. With this view, about forty volunteers set out for
Bennington to engage the cooperation of
Ethan Allen, a native of
Connecticut, and the leader of the
GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS.
He readily seconded their views. They had been joined at Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, by Colonels Easton and Brown, with about forty followers. Allen
was chosen the leader after the whole party reached Castleton, at twilight, on
May 7. Colonel Easton was chosen to be Allen's lieutenant, and Seth Warner, of
the Green Mountain Boys, was made third in command. At Castleton Colonel Arnold
joined the party. He had heard the project spoken of in Connecticut just as he
was about to start for Cambridge. He proposed the enterprise to the
Massachusetts committee of safety, and was commissioned a colonel by the
Provincial Congress, and furnished with means and authority to raise not more
than 400 men in western Massachusetts and lead them against the forts. On
reaching Stockbridge, he was disappointed in learning that another expedition
was on the way. He hastened to join it, and claimed the right to the chief
command by virtue of his commission. It was emphatically refused. He acquiesced,
but with a bad grace.
On the evening of the 9th they were on the shore of Lake Champlain, opposite
Ticonderoga, and at dawn the next morning the officers and eighty men were on
the beach a few rods from the fortress, sheltered by a bluff. A boy familiar
with the fort was their guide. Following him, they ascended stealthily to the
sally-port, where a sentinel snapped his musket and retreated into the fort,
closely followed by the invaders, who quickly penetrated to the parade. With a
tremendous shout the New Englanders awakened the sleeping garrison, while Allen
ascended the outer staircase of the barracks to the chamber of the commander
(Captain Delaplace), and beating the door with the handle of his sword, cried
out with his loud voice, " I demand an instant surrender!" The captain rushed to
the door, followed by his trembling wife. He knew Allen, and recognized him. "
Your errand ?" demanded the commander. Pointing to his men, Allen said, "I order
you to surrender." "By what authority do you demand it?" inquired Delaplace. "By
the authority of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!" answered
Allen, with emphasis, at the same time flourishing his broadsword over the head
of the terrified commander. Delaplace surrendered the fort and its dependencies,
and a large quantity of precisely such munitions of war as the colonists needed
- 120 iron cannon, fifty swivels, two mortars, a howitzer, a coehorn, a large
quantity of ammunition and other stores, and a warehouse full of naval
munitions, with forty-eight men, women, and children, who were sent to Hartford.
Two days afterwards Colonel Seth Warner made an easy conquest of Crown Point.