Mount Independence Archives - Journal of the American Revolution

Contests Posted on March 28, 2023March 26, 2023

The Unimportance of John Brown’s Raid on Ticonderoga

A lesser-known action during Gen. John Burgoyne’s 1777 campaign occurred at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence in the days surrounding the first battle at Saratoga in mid-September. What became known as “Brown’s Raid” has commonly been interpreted as playing a key role in the defeat of Burgoyne’s invasion. Such is not necessarily the case and, as […]

by Michael Barbieri

Contests Posted on April 28, 2022April 26, 2022

Orderly Book of the 5th Continental Infantry Regiment, New Hampshire Historical Society

In the summer and fall of 1776, the decrepit fortifications at Ticonderoga and the area surrounding it became one of the top five population centers in North America—ultimately numbering 12,000 or more. In early July, a brigade under the command of New Hampshire’s John Stark began building fortifications on the forested, 300-acre rocky peninsula across […]

by Michael Barbieri

Contests Posted on January 20, 2022January 18, 2022

Brown’s Raid on Ticonderoga and Mount Independence

This story begins five weeks after Gen. John Burgoyne’s army forced the Americans to abandon positions on Lake Champlain in July 1777. On August 12, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln wrote to Washington telling him, “I am to return with the militia . . . to the northward, with a design to fall into the rear of […]

by Michael Barbieri

Contests Posted on July 27, 2021July 25, 2021

In Defense of Mount Independence

It’s an understatement to say that the spring of 1776 had not gone well for the American army in Canada. After a campaign that had stalled at the walls of Quebec City the previous winter, May brought British and German reinforcements who thoroughly routed the remnants of the army camped outside the city and drove […]

by Michael Barbieri

Contests Posted on May 6, 2020May 5, 2020

Supporting American Revolution History

Restrictions on travel and gather due to the coronavirus pandemic have had a significant impact on historic sites and institutions dedicated to the American Revolution. We asked our contributors to recommend sites and organizations for our readers to consider supporting. The list is in the order received. Brady J. Crytzer Historic Hanna’s Town, Greensburg, PA: […]

by Editors

Contests Posted on May 16, 2016August 28, 2016

Arthur St. Clair’s Decision to Abandon Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence

On the night of July 5-6, 1777, an American army under the command of Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair abruptly withdrew from the twin fortifications of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, abandoning them (along with a massive quantity of supplies and ordnance) to an advancing British and German force from Canada under the command of L. […]

by Ron Morgan

Contests Posted on May 5, 2016August 28, 2016

Mount Independence: “The most intact Revolutionary War site in America”

Everybody has heard of Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. On the other hand, mention Mount Independence and one usually encounters the puzzled lowering of eyebrows and cocking of the head to the side. Most will be quite surprised to learn how that rocky thumb of land on the Vermont shore opposite Ticonderoga actually played a […]

by Michael Barbieri

Contests Posted on April 13, 2015August 28, 2016

Incidents Near Fort Ticonderoga on June 17, 1777

A soldier writes his wife: Mount Independence, June 8, 1777 I heartily embrace the opportunity to write to you, hoping that these will find you and yours in good health as I am now. I have been vary hearty since I left home. I herd last week that you were all well. Mr. Church said […]

by Michael Barbieri

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