History in 6 Minutes

Fort Ticonderoga held a commanding position at the intersection of Lake Champlain and Lake George. Controlling the natural corridor between British Canada and the American colonies.
The fort's location has a rich history of conflict. Most famously, In 1758, during the French and Indian war, a smaller French force famously repelled a much larger British army in a bloody battle at the fort.
As the flames of the American Revolution ignited, Fort Ticonderoga once again found itself at the heart of the conflict. In May 1775, American patriots led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured the fort from a small, unprepared British garrison. This early victory, which was the first offensive action for the American forces, was significant for both morale and the invaluable artillery it provided. These captured cannons were later transported to Boston during the winter of 1775-1776 and placed on Dorchester Heights, forcing the British to evacuate the city in March of 1776.
Beyond its material value, control of the Lake Champlain-Lake George route was strategically paramount. It offered a natural invasion path from Canada and a vital defensive line for the Americans to prevent the British from gaining control of the Hudson River Valley and bisecting the colonies.
In 1777, the British planned a three-pronged attack to isolate New England by seizing the Hudson River Valley. General Burgoyne would advance south from Quebec to capture Fort Ticonderoga and move toward Albany. Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger would advance eastward from Lake Ontario as a diversion, and General Howe would move north from New York City.
By the summer of 1777, Fort Ticonderoga was not as strong as it appeared. The fort had been neglected and fallen into disrepair. American forces were aware of the impending threat. They had attempted to strengthen the defenses around Fort Ticonderoga by constructing fortifications on Mount Independence and Mount Hope. These were strategically positioned to command the surrounding area. In April 1777, General Arthur St. Clair, a veteran officer, was appointed to command the garrison at Ticonderoga. Although the Americans knew that Burgoyne was advancing south from Canada, they were uncertain about the size and makeup of his forces.
The late appointment of General St. Clair and the subsequent assessment that the existing garrison was "greatly inadequate to the defense" shows the Americans were unprepared or at least slow to recognize the true scale of the British offensive.
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In June 1777, General John Burgoyne commenced his advance from Quebec, leading a formidable army comprising approximately 7,000 to 8,000 men 8. His ranks included seasoned British regulars, German auxiliary troops from Hesse-Hanau and Brunswick, Loyal American colonists, Canadian militia, and a contingent of Native American allies 9. The composition of Burgoyne's army reflected the British strategy of utilizing a variety of military resources to achieve their objectives. The Native American scouts proved invaluable in gathering intelligence about the terrain and American positions, Their expertise in navigating the wilderness allowed them to effectively conceal the movements of the larger British force giving them the element of surprise. At the same time their presence also carried the risk of alienating the local civilian population, potentially hindering British efforts to gain local support. Regardless, this diverse army embarked on a southward journeJohy along the tranquil waters of Lake Champlain. By June 30th, they reached the largely undefended Fort Crown Point, north of Ticonderoga 13.
On July 2nd, Burgoyne issued the order for his army to advance towards Fort Ticonderoga, deploying his forces strategically on both the eastern and western shores of Lake Champlain 13. That same morning, General St. Clair, perhaps sensing the vulnerability of their position, made the decision to withdraw the American troops from the outpost on Mount Hope, which was deemed too exposed and susceptible to capture 13.
It was during this period that British engineers made a crucial discovery that would ultimately dictate the fate of Fort Ticonderoga. They recognized the paramount strategic importance of Sugar Loaf Hill, later renamed Mount Defiance, which loomed over both Fort Ticonderoga and the extensive fortifications on Mount Independence 13. Alarmingly for the Americans, this strategically vital height remained undefended, a critical oversight despite prior warnings and assessments of its vulnerability. Indeed, even earlier when General Gates held command, the tactical problem posed by Sugar Loaf was pointed out 13. Figures like John Trumbull, Anthony Wayne, and even a wounded Benedict Arnold had previously climbed to the summit and recognized that artillery could likely be hauled to the top 13. The American failure to secure and fortify Sugar Loaf represents a significant strategic blunder, an oversight that would have dire consequences. This lapse in defense, despite clear prior awareness of the hill's commanding position, ultimately sealed the fate of Fort Ticonderoga.
Capitalizing on this oversight, the British engineers swiftly began the task of clearing the dense terrain and constructing gun emplacements on the summit of Sugar Loaf 13. They worked diligently, taking care to conceal their activities from the view of the American defenders below. As the British prepared their decisive move, the Americans within Fort Ticonderoga quietly observed the first anniversary of their Declaration of Independence on July 4th 13. However, that very night, the British inadvertently lost a degree of their tactical surprise. Some of their Native American allies, positioned on Sugar Loaf, lit fires, inadvertently alerting the Americans to their presence on the previously unoccupied height 13.
By the morning of July 5th, the implications of the British presence on Sugar Loaf became starkly clear to General St. Clair. With enemy artillery now overlooking the fort and its surrounding defenses, the American position had become utterly untenable 1. Recognizing the futility of attempting to defend the fort under such circumstances, St. Clair convened a council of war with his senior officers 13. During this crucial meeting, the decision was made to abandon Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. St. Clair himself reportedly articulated the difficult choice he faced: to "save his character and lose the army" by attempting a hopeless defense, or to "save the army and lose his character" by ordering a retreat 13. This internal conflict reveals the immense pressure placed upon military commanders, who often must navigate the delicate balance between strategic necessity and political expectations. St. Clair's decision to retreat, while strategically sound in the face of overwhelming British artillery superiority, was made with a clear understanding of the negative political repercussions he would likely face.
Under the cloak of darkness in the early hours of July 6th, the American garrison began its hasty evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence 1. The withdrawal was conducted with as much speed and secrecy as possible, but the British advanced guard soon detected their movements and began a pursuit 1. Two primary routes of retreat had been planned in anticipation of such an event 13.
By daybreak on July 6th, Burgoyne's army occupied both Fort Ticonderoga and the extensive fortifications on Mount Independence without encountering any resistance 13. The ease with which they had captured this renowned fortress came as a surprise even to the British 14. The fall of the "Gibraltar of the North" without a significant fight underscored the decisive impact of the British securing the high ground of Sugar Loaf. It demonstrated that even the most formidable fortifications could be rendered indefensible when an enemy controlled the commanding terrain. This event highlighted the critical importance of not only constructing strong defenses but also ensuring the security of the surrounding strategic locations. The lack of a major battle for Fort Ticonderoga, despite its formidable reputation, serves as a stark reminder that even the most imposing fortifications are vulnerable to the strategic placement of artillery.