It would not be until the war of the “rebellion” in the 1860’s before more men would die in battle on a battle field on the North and South American Continents than were slain here on the hallowed grounds surrounding Fort Ticonderoga. Perhaps of more significance is the diversity of the dead. They came from all over the globe as well as several Native American tribes. As the Seven Years Wars raged around the world it was here the two great super powers of France and Great Britain fought over the great prize: control of the North American Continent.
Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Defiance, and Mount Independence were pivotal for the control of the Lake Champlain water way and the direct access from Canada to the Colonial US. It was considered by many of the time to be the “Key to the continent”. To the French it was called Fort Carillion and formed the tip of the spear for the invasion of British territory to the south. To the British it was a frontier out post for the defense of a vital supply line of valuable resources the burgeoning empire so badly needed for the expansion of their global empire.
Later the British and Americans fought here as well. The unlikely capture of the lightly guarded fort by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and their band of Green Mountain Boys would soon serve as a decisive victory. For here at Fort Ticonderoga unused was the largest collection of heavy artillery on the continent. And the Americans lacked the heavy artillery of their British opponents. Later Henry Knox would haul these captured pieces down the frozen lakes, rivers, and over the snow covered mountains to Boston and set them up on Dorchester Heights and drive off the British fleet and garrison, thus freeing Boston without firing a shot.
Today the Forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga and their beautiful surroundings are living history museums that take us back to a time when America was traveled mostly by water. To the visitor today the Kings Garden and surrounding grounds are a good place to stop and reflect the passage of time while taking stock in what is actually important to us all, freedom and liberty.
After leaving the fort we continued on to our campground for the night, Putnam Pond State park. There we took a hike in the woods and had our first bear sighting of 2 cubs. Surely the mother was around but thank goodness we didn’t encounter her!
One Response
Amen.