Fort Ticonderoga

Benedict Arnold proposed the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the plan was approved by Dr. Warren, chairman of the committee of safety. Arnold was commissioned as colonel by the provincial congress of Massachusetts, and directed to raise 400 men in the western counties and surprise the forts. The same scheme had been entertained in Connecticut, and troops from that colony and from Berkshire, with a number of "Green Mountain Boys," had already started for the lakes under command of Ethan Allen (Allen was made colonel of an armed force known as the "Green Mountain Boys," raised in order to protect holders of land granted by New Hampshire. He was declared an outlaw, and £150 was offered for his capture by Gov. Tryon, of New York). On meeting them Arnold claimed the command, but when it was refused he joined the expedition as a volunteer and entered Ticonderoga side by side with Allen. A few days later Arnold captured St. John's. Massachusetts asked Connecticut to put him in command of these posts, but Connecticut preferred Allen.

Saratoga fell to the British in 1777.  Arthur St. Clair was appointed major general on 19 February 1777, succeeding General Horatio Gates in command at Ticonderoga. Less than 2,000 men, poorly armed, and nearly destitute of stores, there and at Mount Independence on the opposite shore of Lake Champlain garrisoned the works. The approach of a force of more than 7,000 men under General John Burgoyne mandated that General St. Clair to prepare for an attack. His force was too small to cover all exposed points, and, as he had not discovered Burgoyne's designs, he neglected to fortify Sugar Loaf Mountain over which the British approached. St. Clair and his officers held a council of war, and decided to evacuate the fort.

Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy who was placed in command of Fort Independence, opposite Fort Ticonderoga, by orders of Congress, and against the protest of Washington made a grave military error that almost caused St. Clair the loss of all of his forces. Upon the retreat of St. Clair from Ticonderoga, Fermoy, against the orders, set fire to his quarters on Mount Independence at two o'clock on the morning of 6 July 1777 thus revealing to Burgoyne St. Clair's evacuation of Ticonderoga. Had it not been for this, St. Clair would have made good his retreat.

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