Vermont. American Revolution: Mount Independence VT

Mount Independence, Vermont

Mount Independence, Lake Champlain, Revolutionary War, Vermont

This is a fort site on a peninsula across from Fort Ticonderoga (Ticonderoga is in NY, on Lake Champlain here, on the far side). There had been an old French fort here first, then it became a fort for patriots. There are just ruins now, barely distinguishable foundations, paths, clearings for buildings.



Traces of a colonial army fort, Mount Independence VT, American Revolution

This is a place for those who love their own imaginations. Foundations, graves, depressions for bulwarks and entrenchments, fabulous vistas of Lake Champlain, barracks remains, old rock forms, paths, parts of buildings, but no great preservation as at Fort Ticonderoga. It was built to ensure that the British could be stopped on their way south from Canada to Saratoga - like a pincer place.

However, the Americans did not need it for that, abandoned it, and the British took it over and eventually burned it as they retreated to Canada. See http://www.revolutionaryday.com/usroute7/independence/default.htm. It is off Route 7, a long and old highway through most of New England, north to south. This is a fine leaf-color route in the fall.  See its strategic location from the air, at ://www.historicvermont.org/mountindependence/independencemural.htm

There was disease, so a hospital and infirmary area is there, blockhouse, barracks, all that a fort needed. It just fell into disuse. Visit the museum - see in particular how wounds and illnesses were treated or not.

Go anyway and walk - paths and hiking trails, any length, any direction. 

Mount Independence, Fort archeological remains, VT, Revolutionary War

In 1776, it took 12,000 soldiers to build the fort. It was a preventive measure, anticipating an attack by the British. That did not happen, and by winter, only 2500 remained and they suffered, hardship, disease, death. In 1777 support troops arrived, but the site was ultimately abandoned. http://www.historicvermont.org/mountindependence. 

Fort constructed and later abandoned, and now a fine park and history lesson starting point.

New York, Saratoga. American Revolution: Battle of Saratoga NY

 Battle of Saratoga

The Revolutionary War - Refresh your memory with a loop around several battlefields related to the Revolutionary War and its memorials.  We chose  1) Saratoga NY;  2) Ticonderoga NY;  and 3) Bennington VT general route.

Saratoga.

The War had begun in 1775, and the British had hopes of ending it at this battle at Saratoga. There were three prongs to the attack planned by the British - 10,000 soldiers from Canada under General Burgoyne (who had just retaken Fort Ticonderoga to the north; the Patriots had earlier taken it from the British), a second British army from Lake Ontario to the Mohawk River, and a third British army under General Howe from New York. There were Germans fighting with General Burgoyne, other nationalities also represented.

On this Battlefield, General Benedict Arnold fought with distinction - see his later status as a "turncoat" to the British, at Studying Wars: Benedict Arnold, "Turncoat".  He had his reasons, and much contributed to it.


Saratoga National Park cannon

The American plan was to keep the British divided. There were only about 8500 Americans. See the battles history at http://www.nps.gov/sara/historyculture/index.htm. There is a fine drive around and through the battlefield, with markers and narratives explaining.

There is an annual re-enactment of the battle, see http://www.saratoga.org/battle1777/reenact.html

Saratoga Surrender Memorial Tower, Victory, NY.

 A pedestal is empty, for Arnold.

Then, go to the Saratoga National Cemetery nearby for the many war heroes and veterans there.

Saratoga National Cemetery.

Prepare for a surprise.

Here is veteran Wilbert Thomas Lagassse in the cemetery named after Gerald Brooks Hunt Solomon, a NY congressman. See http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000675.  Fields of rows of headstones, and Mr. Lagasse claims the best tan. America. Would Mr. Solomon admire the humor of this lucky one, not killed in battle, or not so much?


Lake Saratoga, NY.

Near the battlefield, home of the fine old Victorian resort at Saratoga Springs and racetrack, see http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html

Many fine Bed and Breakfasts.  There is no need to call ahead for reservations.  Choose one with a view.

Environmental issue: Food chain broken.  No bugs. What have we done to the food chain?

Bug alert. Ominous. With a 5-day overall trip, in summer, our windshields were almost clean. No bugs. A few butterflies, very few, on the vast battlefields. Have we finally broken the food chain? Remember when each stop for gas meant scraping the windshield, hard, with that liquid, just to get those millions off? And the wings in the grille?

New York, Fort Ticonderoga. American Revolution: Fort Ticonderoga NY

Fort Ticonderoga, New York

Fort Ticonderoga NY, fife and drum

If you are lucky or a planner, your visit will include a re-enactment.  Fort Ticonderoga is in NY State, north of Saratoga. For a timeline on the Revolutionary War, see http://members.aol.com/ntgen/hrtg/revtmln.html.

There is a fine drive to the Fort, through woods with markers and narratives for the battles and skirmishes. See where the Black Watch regiment fought for the British. Follow the memorials. Costumed guides are at the main fort.

Benedict Arnold, here a colonel I understand, fought with distinction. He was later despised as a turncoat, one who is disloyal and deserts his prior cause, see http://www.thefreedictionary.com/turncoat/  There is more to it than that, but he was nonetheless brilliant. Nothing is simple. See Studying Wars: Benedict Arnold. It looks more like swiftboating Benedict Arnold. Is that so? Check it out.  A kind of bullying against adults also takes its toll.