T8+-+6.1A

T8 - 6.1A Chrysta Blechschmid, Mary Puzder, Cameron Gorman (Attack on Fort Ticonderoga)

=Fort Ticonderoga Goes American!=

This just in! Yesterday, May 10th, 1775 the British lost Fort Ticonderoga to the Patriots. The patriots are starting to feel like they have a chance at gaining their independence from the British, and winning the war that started on April 19th this year. In the newly born war between us Americans and the British, there are many brave men who have decided the Patriot cause is worth their very lives. They have fought off the British at Lexington and Concord, and have defended their beliefs. They believe, as Patriots, that the British have no right to tax them without representation in Parliament, and resent the intolerable Acts. The attack of Fort Ticonderoga was a Patriot revolution.

On May 10, 1775, the Green Mountain Boys and Ethan Allen captured Fort Ticonderoga. It was a brave deed beyond compare, and something that little a man would do. A man of the Connecticut Committee of Correspondence asked Allen to help raid the fort. On May eight, 1775, Ethan Allen put a forward party in Castleton, near the fort, as well as a spy inside the fort itself. At eleven thirty on May ninth, the brave band of Green Mountain Boys was ready to go. They gathered at Hand’s Cove to wait for boats to sail across Lake Champlain to attack the Fort. Benedict Arnold tried to wrest the power from Allen, but in the end, Allen kept his authority. In the very early morning of May 10, Ethan Allen, the Boys, and Benedict Arnold crossed the lake with eighty three boys in their ranks. They then sailed across to the Fort. The stronger force of the men quickly defeated the guard! Then, Allen ran up to the British Commander’s room. There, Allen told the Commander that he acted, “In the name of the Continental Congress and the Great Jehovah.” The Commander, outnumbered and cornered, surrendered the Fort to the Americans. In doing this brave deed for the sake of Liberty and the American people, Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, and the Green Mountain Boys were very, very brave in the eyes of the Patriots. They have given an upper hand in coming battles with the British. The cannons and other weaponry that they took from the Fort are being transported to Boston as of late. The city will make good use of the cannons and artillery. The victory at Fort Ticonderoga has inspired Patriots everywhere to take a stand.

Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, a Vermont Blacksmith, were the commanders in charge of the capturing of Fort Ticonderoga. This particular fort is located by Lake Champlain and the South Bay in the New York colony. Ethan Allen lead the Green Mountain Boys on this mission. The Green Mountain Boys are a group of about 700 men that were organized in Vermont approximately ten years ago. The leaders of this group are wanted by the authorities of New York.

Patriots went down the lake side in a determined march to fight for Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga was a threat to all of the colonies. These patriots and the Green Mountain Boys knew it. They made a sneak attack on fort Ticonderoga at night fall. They easily took down the guards and demanded surrender. Some loyalists say, “Why would the British give up such a big advantage?” Patriots are very proud that they now have this huge advantage. Weapons such as cannons, cannons balls, guns, and gun powder were all found in this fort. These were stored after the French and Indian War. Patriots want to keep the British out to the colonies. The British are now rethinking the power of the patriots. Lake Champlain which was near Fort Ticonderoga was a potential invasion route for the British in Canada. This could be one of the most important forts to the British that the patriots won. In fact, Ethan Allen was said to have yelled, "Surrender the fort, you old rat!" Only by strength, numbers, and over all determination, did the Patriots accomplish this impossible task.

The War may or may not grow, depending upon whether or not peace is called with Britain. However, what is really important for Americans and patriots as a whole is that we make sure we are ready for anything. The capture of Fort Ticonderoga has given some reassurance about our ability as a nation, as well as much needed weaponry. The capture was a good move by the Patriot force! They will no doubt send their congratulations to the Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen, and Benedict Arnold for the capture of the Fort. They now have cannons and a stronghold on Lake Champlain.

Reported By: Cameron Gorman, Mary Puzder, and Chrysta Blechschmid. Social Studies Teacher- Mrs. Tyrrell, 8th period.