In September 1777, Fort Ticonderoga, a strategically important fortification, faced its last direct assault during the American Revolutionary War. This engagement, led by Colonel John Brown, represented an American attempt to reclaim the fort from British and Hessian forces. While the attack did not result in the capture of the fort, it highlighted the ongoing struggle for control of key positions in the northern theater of the war and demonstrated
the Continental Army's persistent efforts to disrupt British operations, even after the fort's earlier abandonment by American forces.
British Garrison and American Objectives
At the time of the attack, Fort Ticonderoga and its surrounding defenses were garrisoned by approximately 700 British and Hessian troops, commanded by Brigadier General Henry Watson Powell. The majority of these forces were stationed on Mount Independence, with only about 100 soldiers each at Fort Ticonderoga itself and a blockhouse under construction on Mount Defiance. General George Washington, recognizing the strategic value of distracting the enemy, dispatched General Benjamin Lincoln into Vermont with orders to "divide and distract the enemy." Lincoln, aware that the British were holding American prisoners in the area, decided to test the British defenses.
On September 13, Lincoln sent 500 men to Skenesboro, which they found already abandoned by the British. Concurrently, he dispatched two separate forces of 500 men each to attack the defenses on either side of Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga. Colonel John Brown was tasked with leading the troops on the west side of the lake. His instructions were clear: release any American prisoners if possible and attempt to capture the fort if the opportunity arose and it seemed feasible. This two-pronged approach aimed to overwhelm the British and create confusion, potentially leading to a decisive American victory.
The Surprise Attack and Initial Successes
Early on September 18, Colonel Brown's troops initiated their surprise attack. They first encountered and surprised a British contingent holding prisoners near the Lake George landing. Simultaneously, a detachment of Brown's men stealthily ascended Mount Defiance, where they managed to capture most of the sleeping construction crew. These initial successes provided the Americans with momentum and control over key positions overlooking the fort. Brown and his men then proceeded down the portage trail towards Fort Ticonderoga, continuing to surprise more British troops and liberating additional prisoners along their route.
The fort's occupants remained largely unaware of the unfolding American actions until Brown's men engaged in a skirmish with British troops occupying the old French lines. At this point, the element of surprise began to wane, and the British defenders inside the fort were alerted to the attack. Brown's men, demonstrating resourcefulness, dragged two captured six-pound guns up to the French lines and commenced firing on the fort. Adding to the pressure, the American detachment that had secured Mount Defiance began firing a twelve-pounder cannon from their elevated position, directing artillery fire down onto the fort.
Stalemate and American Withdrawal
The American column assigned to attack Mount Independence, however, experienced delays. This delay proved critical, as the numerous defenders on Mount Independence were alerted to the ongoing action at the fort below before the American assault on their position could begin. The combined musket fire from the Mount Independence garrison and grapeshot fired from British ships anchored nearby proved sufficient to intimidate the Americans, preventing them from launching a full-scale assault on the well-defended positions on Mount Independence.
A stalemate ensued, characterized by regular exchanges of cannon fire between the American attackers and the British defenders. This standoff persisted until September 21, when the arrival of 100 Hessian troops from the Mohawk Valley provided crucial reinforcements to the besieged fort. Recognizing the strengthened British position and the insufficiency of his own weaponry to take the fort, Brown eventually sent a truce party to open negotiations. Tragically, this party was fired upon, resulting in the deaths of three of its five members. Faced with these circumstances, Colonel Brown made the decision to withdraw his forces. Before departing, his men destroyed many bateaux (flat-bottomed boats) and seized a ship on Lake George, further disrupting British logistics. Brown then moved on to harass other British positions on the lake. Despite failing to capture the fort, Brown's action was not without success, as it resulted in the freeing of 118 American prisoners and the capture of 293 British troops, all while suffering fewer than 10 casualties.
