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.