Siege of Fort Ticonderoga (1777): Burgoyne’s Victory

Battle at a Glance

Historical Background

The Strategic Importance of Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain formed a major military corridor between Canada and the Hudson Valley. Armies moving south from Quebec could use the lake to transport soldiers, artillery, ammunition, and provisions toward the American interior.

Control of this corridor had been important during the French and Indian War and remained essential during the American Revolution.

The American Capture of Ticonderoga in 1775

On May 10, 1775, American forces led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured Fort Ticonderoga from its small British garrison.

The Americans acquired valuable artillery, some of which Henry Knox later transported to the Continental Army besieging Boston.

The Failed American Invasion of Canada

During 1775 and 1776, American forces attempted to conquer Canada but failed to capture Quebec and eventually withdrew southward.

The retreat returned Fort Ticonderoga to a central position in American northern defense.

The Naval Campaign of 1776

In October 1776, Benedict Arnold commanded an American fleet against British naval forces at the Battle of Valcour Island.

Although the American fleet was defeated, the resistance delayed the British advance until the campaigning season was nearly over.

British Withdrawal in 1776

British forces advanced toward Ticonderoga in the autumn of 1776 but withdrew to Canada rather than begin a major siege so late in the year.

The Americans used the following months to improve their defenses.

The Construction of Mount Independence

American engineers developed extensive fortifications on Mount Independence, the high ground east of Lake Champlain opposite Fort Ticonderoga.

The works included earthworks, batteries, barracks, and supporting defensive positions. A floating bridge connected the two sides of the lake.

Burgoyne’s Campaign Plan

For 1777, British leaders approved an offensive from Canada under Lieutenant General John Burgoyne.

Burgoyne intended to advance through Lake Champlain and the Hudson Valley toward Albany. The campaign formed part of a broader British effort to separate New England from the other rebellious states.

The Advance from Canada

Burgoyne assembled British regulars, German auxiliaries, artillery, Loyalists, and Indigenous allies.

His army advanced south along Lake Champlain, supported by a fleet capable of transporting supplies and artillery.

The American Command Problem

Major General Philip Schuyler commanded the Northern Department, while Arthur St. Clair held the immediate defenses at Ticonderoga.

The American garrison was insufficient to man every fortification and defend all the surrounding terrain.

The Fortress’s Reputation

Ticonderoga had acquired a reputation as one of the strongest military positions in North America.

Its defenses were formidable against an attack along expected approaches, but the surrounding heights created vulnerabilities that could not be ignored.

The Approach of Burgoyne

By early July, British troops were advancing against the American positions on both sides of the lake.

The siege became a contest of terrain, artillery positioning, and control of the routes by which the Americans might escape.

Commanders & Participating Forces

American Command Structure

Major General Arthur St. Clair commanded the immediate defenses of Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. His superior, Major General Philip Schuyler, commanded the Northern Department.

Major General Arthur St. Clair

Arthur St. Clair was a Pennsylvania officer with prior military experience. He assumed command of Ticonderoga during a critical period when the American garrison lacked sufficient manpower.

His decision to evacuate the fortress became controversial, but it preserved much of the army from possible capture.

Major General Philip Schuyler

Schuyler was responsible for the wider defense of northern New York. He had to coordinate troops, supplies, fortifications, and the defense of the Hudson Valley.

The loss of Ticonderoga damaged his reputation and contributed to political pressure for changes in American command.

Brigadier General Enoch Poor

Poor commanded New Hampshire Continental troops and served in the Northern Department during 1777.

His brigade remained an important part of the American army during the subsequent Saratoga Campaign.

Colonel Ebenezer Francis

Francis commanded the 11th Massachusetts Regiment and was associated with the American rear guard during the retreat.

He was killed at the Battle of Hubbardton on July 7, the day after Ticonderoga was abandoned.

Colonel Seth Warner

Warner commanded a Continental regiment associated with the Green Mountain Boys.

His troops helped cover the retreat and participated in the Battle of Hubbardton.

British and Allied Command

Lieutenant General John Burgoyne

Burgoyne commanded the expedition from Canada. His early success at Ticonderoga encouraged expectations that the British would advance rapidly toward Albany.

However, the same army would later suffer defeat during the Battles of Saratoga.

Brigadier General Simon Fraser

Fraser commanded Burgoyne’s advance corps, including light troops suited to reconnaissance and rapid movement.

He later pursued the withdrawing Americans and played a major role at Hubbardton.

Major General Friedrich Riedesel

Riedesel commanded the Brunswick contingent of Burgoyne’s army.

His German troops participated in the operations surrounding Ticonderoga and the pursuit that followed.

Major General William Phillips

Phillips was an experienced artillery officer. His knowledge of artillery deployment and siege operations was valuable to Burgoyne’s campaign.

British efforts to dominate the American fortifications from elevated terrain were consistent with the army’s emphasis on artillery and engineering.

Distinguishing Troop Strength

The American garrison is often estimated at approximately 2,500–3,500 effective soldiers, depending on the return used and whether sick men and support personnel are included.

Burgoyne’s army contained approximately 7,000–8,000 British and German regular troops, with additional allied and supporting personnel.

Not all these troops were engaged at the same defensive position.

Battlefield Geography & Terrain

Fort Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga stood on the western side of the narrow passage connecting Lake Champlain with Lake George.

The fort had been constructed by the French during the colonial wars and was originally known as Fort Carillon.

Mount Independence

Mount Independence stood east of Lake Champlain, across from Fort Ticonderoga.

American troops developed extensive defenses there because controlling both sides of the waterway was necessary to prevent an enemy from bypassing the fortress.

The Floating Bridge

A floating bridge connected Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence.

It facilitated communication and movement between the positions, but its security depended upon maintaining control of the surrounding heights and waterways.

Mount Hope

Mount Hope lay near the approaches to the American defenses. Its occupation by British troops increased pressure upon the fortification system.

Control of the surrounding ground affected American communications and the ability to defend outlying works.

Mount Defiance

Mount Defiance, historically called Sugar Loaf Hill, rose southwest of Fort Ticonderoga.

Its elevation gave it commanding views over the fortress, portions of Mount Independence, and the surrounding waterway.

Why Mount Defiance Mattered

Artillery placed on Mount Defiance could threaten American defenses from above. The prospect was especially dangerous because the Americans lacked sufficient troops to occupy and defend every surrounding height.

British possession of the mountain transformed the tactical situation.

The Difficulty of Moving Artillery Uphill

Mount Defiance presented steep slopes and difficult approaches. Moving heavy cannon toward its summit required engineering work, manpower, draft animals, ropes, and suitable routes.

British troops occupied the height and began preparing to establish artillery positions. The Americans evacuated before a prolonged bombardment from the summit became necessary.

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain provided Burgoyne with a transportation corridor for soldiers, artillery, provisions, and equipment.

British naval superiority restricted the Americans’ ability to maneuver freely on the water.

South Bay and Skenesborough

South Bay led toward Skenesborough, now Whitehall, New York.

The Americans used this water route to evacuate supplies and personnel, but British naval forces pursued them.

The Hubbardton Road

A land route led southeast from Mount Independence toward Hubbardton and Castleton in present-day Vermont.

This became the principal retreat route for much of St. Clair’s army.

The Geography of the Withdrawal

The American evacuation divided troops and supplies between the land route toward Hubbardton and the water route toward Skenesborough.

These separate movements explain why fighting occurred in different locations on July 7.

Modern Battlefield Preservation

Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence preserve important elements of the 1777 military landscape.

Mount Defiance remains particularly valuable for understanding why St. Clair considered the American position untenable.

Weapons, Equipment & Logistics

American Fortress Artillery

Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence contained numerous cannon positioned to defend approaches by land and water.

These guns represented a substantial investment in American military resources.

British Siege Artillery

Burgoyne’s army possessed artillery suitable for supporting infantry operations and attacking fortified positions.

Transporting guns through the Lake Champlain corridor was a major logistical undertaking.

Artillery on Mount Defiance

British engineers and soldiers prepared routes and positions for artillery on Mount Defiance.

Because the Americans withdrew before a sustained bombardment, the importance of the height lay primarily in the threat posed by British artillery rather than a prolonged cannonade from the summit.

British Infantry Weapons

British regular infantry carried smoothbore muskets and bayonets. Light infantry and grenadiers provided specialized capabilities.

American Infantry Weapons

American soldiers carried a mixture of muskets and rifles. Their equipment varied by regiment and source of supply.

German Auxiliary Equipment

Brunswick troops used military muskets, while specialized Jäger formations employed rifles suited to reconnaissance and skirmishing.

The American Supply Problem

The Ticonderoga defenses required food, ammunition, tools, clothing, and artillery supplies.

The garrison was not large enough to man all the positions effectively, and the evacuation made it impossible to remove every valuable store.

Transport by Water

Boats and vessels moved American supplies toward Skenesborough.

British control of the lake exposed these transports to pursuit.

Transport by Land

Soldiers withdrawing toward Hubbardton carried weapons and personal equipment along difficult roads.

Artillery and heavy baggage were much harder to remove rapidly.

Abandoned Military Stores

The British captured substantial artillery, ammunition, and supplies when they occupied the fortifications.

Contemporary inventories should be used to determine exact quantities, since later accounts sometimes combine losses from Ticonderoga with those at Skenesborough.

Intelligence & Operational Planning

Burgoyne’s Objective

Burgoyne intended to capture the Lake Champlain defenses and continue south toward the Hudson Valley.

Ticonderoga was the first major fortified obstacle along his route.

The British Reconnaissance

British officers examined the American defenses and surrounding terrain to identify vulnerable approaches.

Their reconnaissance revealed that the American fortifications were extensive but insufficiently manned.

The Advance on Both Sides of the Lake

Burgoyne moved troops toward the American defenses along both sides of Lake Champlain.

This threatened the garrison’s communications and complicated St. Clair’s ability to concentrate his forces.

The Problem of Mount Defiance

American officers understood that Mount Defiance overlooked the fortress, but occupying and fortifying the summit required manpower and resources that were already scarce.

Its steep approaches had encouraged doubts about whether heavy artillery could be placed there effectively.

British Engineers Identify the Opportunity

British reconnaissance established that the height could be reached and prepared for artillery.

The discovery offered Burgoyne a means of threatening the American defenses without immediately assaulting their strongest works.

The Occupation of Mount Defiance

British troops reached the summit and began preparing the position for guns.

American observers recognized the danger posed by enemy control of the height.

St. Clair’s Command Council

St. Clair consulted his officers about the military situation.

The council concluded that the defenses could not safely be maintained once the British controlled the commanding ground and threatened the retreat routes.

The Decision to Evacuate

St. Clair ordered the army to withdraw during the night of July 5–6.

The decision prioritized preservation of the troops over retention of the fortress.

Dividing the Retreat

Some American personnel and supplies moved by water toward Skenesborough.

The main body marched from Mount Independence toward Hubbardton and Castleton.

British Discovery

The British discovered the evacuation and occupied the abandoned works.

British forces then pursued the Americans by land and water.

The Operational Result

Burgoyne captured the fortifications without a major assault, but the American army was not destroyed.

The withdrawal created new engagements at Hubbardton and Skenesborough.

Siege of Fort Ticonderoga: Interactive Timeline

Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions

Phase One: Burgoyne Approaches the Fortress

The British army advanced south from Canada using Lake Champlain as its principal logistical corridor.

Burgoyne intended to overwhelm or outmaneuver the American defenses and continue toward Albany.

Phase Two: British Troops Threaten Both Shores

British and German formations approached the defensive complex from different directions.

This forced St. Clair to consider threats against Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, and their communications simultaneously.

Phase Three: American Defenses Are Spread Thin

The Americans occupied extensive fortifications but lacked sufficient troops to defend every position.

Maintaining the fortress required control of surrounding ground as well as the principal walls and batteries.

Phase Four: British Reconnaissance Identifies Mount Defiance

British officers determined that Mount Defiance could be occupied and potentially used for artillery.

The height overlooked the American defenses and offered a major tactical advantage.

Phase Five: British Troops Ascend Mount Defiance

British soldiers climbed the difficult slopes and occupied the summit.

Engineers and working parties began preparing access for artillery, overcoming terrain that had appeared prohibitively steep.

Phase Six: The American Position Becomes Untenable

British possession of Mount Defiance threatened the fortress from above and increased the danger to the American retreat routes.

St. Clair could no longer rely upon the existing fortifications to protect his command.

Phase Seven: St. Clair Chooses Withdrawal

After consultation with his officers, St. Clair ordered evacuation.

Remaining might preserve the appearance of resistance but risk the capture of the entire garrison.

Phase Eight: The Night Evacuation

American troops withdrew during the night of July 5–6.

The operation required soldiers to abandon fixed defenses and move along difficult land and water routes.

Phase Nine: The British Occupy the Fortress

British troops entered Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence after discovering the withdrawal.

The capture occurred without a major frontal assault.

Phase Ten: The British Pursue

Burgoyne ordered pursuit of the retreating Americans.

British forces advanced toward Hubbardton and Skenesborough, where further fighting occurred on July 7.

Conceptual Tactical Diagram

The diagram illustrates the relationship between Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, Mount Defiance, and the American withdrawal routes. It is conceptual, not to scale, and should not be used as a surveyed historical map.

Why the British Won

Burgoyne’s army exploited the geography of the fortress. Its superior strength allowed it to threaten several American positions, while occupation of Mount Defiance undermined the defenses.

Why St. Clair Did Not Fight a Major Siege

St. Clair judged that the position could not be held without risking the destruction of his army.

His decision surrendered valuable fortifications but preserved troops needed for the continuing campaign.

Why the Capture Was Not the End of the Campaign

The British gained the fortress but still faced long supply lines, difficult terrain, and American resistance farther south.

The success at Ticonderoga did not guarantee Burgoyne’s eventual victory.

The Soldier’s Experience

Life in the Fortress

American soldiers stationed at Ticonderoga lived among extensive earthworks, artillery batteries, barracks, and temporary shelters.

Daily duties included guarding approaches, maintaining equipment, repairing fortifications, and preparing for attack.

Labor on Mount Independence

Constructing and maintaining the defenses required extensive manual labor.

Soldiers dug earthworks, moved timber, repaired roads, and transported military supplies.

The British Approach

As Burgoyne’s army approached, American soldiers observed enemy movements and prepared their defensive positions.

The sight of British troops advancing along both sides of the lake increased uncertainty about where the main attack would occur.

The Threat from Mount Defiance

British occupation of the height changed the soldiers’ situation. A position previously regarded as difficult to reach was now in enemy hands.

The prospect of artillery fire from above threatened batteries and defensive works that had been designed for attacks from other directions.

British Soldiers on the Mountain

British troops ascending Mount Defiance faced steep terrain, wooded slopes, and the physical demands of moving equipment uphill.

Preparing artillery positions required labor from soldiers and engineers, not merely combat troops.

The Evacuation Order

American soldiers were ordered to abandon a fortress that many had spent months strengthening.

Some equipment could be carried, but heavy artillery and large quantities of supplies could not be removed quickly.

The Night March

Troops leaving Mount Independence marched toward Hubbardton in darkness.

The withdrawal required discipline and movement along roads that could become congested with soldiers, baggage, and equipment.

The Waterborne Retreat

Other Americans moved south toward Skenesborough by boat.

These vessels carried personnel and supplies but remained vulnerable to British naval pursuit.

The Abandoned Fortress

When British troops entered Ticonderoga, they found extensive fortifications and military stores.

The absence of a major assault meant that the capture produced relatively few immediate combat casualties.

The Pursuit

The retreat did not end the danger for American soldiers.

British troops pursued the withdrawing columns, leading to fighting at Hubbardton and Skenesborough on July 7.

The Emotional Impact

The loss of Ticonderoga was deeply discouraging to many Americans because of the fortress’s symbolic importance.

For soldiers who had worked on its defenses, the withdrawal meant leaving behind months of labor and valuable military equipment.

Preserving the Army

Despite the loss, many American soldiers escaped and continued serving during the Saratoga Campaign.

Their survival allowed the Northern Army to resist Burgoyne farther south.

Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?

The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga is especially important for Revolutionary War genealogy because soldiers who served in the garrison may appear in records for Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, Hubbardton, Skenesborough, or the subsequent Saratoga Campaign. These are related but distinct locations and engagements.

American Formations

New Hampshire Continental Soldiers

New Hampshire troops under Enoch Poor formed an important part of the Northern Army.

Researchers should establish whether an individual regiment was stationed at Ticonderoga during the siege or joined the army later in the Saratoga Campaign.

Massachusetts Continental Soldiers

Massachusetts troops served in the garrison and participated in the retreat.

Colonel Ebenezer Francis’s 11th Massachusetts Regiment is particularly relevant because of its role in the fighting at Hubbardton.

Warner’s Regiment

Seth Warner’s regiment was associated with the Green Mountain Boys and served in the northern theater.

Its participation in the withdrawal and Hubbardton makes it important for reconstructing individual soldiers’ movements after the evacuation.

Continental Artillery Personnel

Artillerymen stationed at Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence operated batteries covering the lake and surrounding approaches.

Some artillery was abandoned during the retreat. Inventories and company records may identify personnel assigned to specific batteries.

British Regular Infantry

British infantry regiments participated in Burgoyne’s advance and the occupation of the fortifications.

Regimental muster books and campaign orders are necessary to determine which companies occupied particular positions.

British Light Infantry and Grenadiers

Composite light infantry and grenadier formations served with Burgoyne’s army.

Researchers should identify the parent regiment of each company when tracing individual soldiers.

Brunswick Soldiers

German auxiliaries from Brunswick served under Riedesel.

German military journals, rolls, and officer correspondence provide important evidence concerning their participation.

Indigenous Allies

Indigenous warriors accompanied Burgoyne’s army in varying roles.

Research into individual participants requires attention to their nations, leaders, and the limitations of surviving British records, which often identify Indigenous allies incompletely.

Soldiers at Hubbardton

The Battle of Hubbardton occurred on July 7 after the evacuation.

Soldiers present at Hubbardton may also have served at Ticonderoga, but participation in one engagement should not automatically establish participation in the other.

Soldiers at Skenesborough

The British pursued American vessels and supplies toward Skenesborough.

Men assigned to the waterborne evacuation followed a different route from those marching toward Hubbardton.

Revolutionary War Pension Applications

American veterans may describe service at Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, the evacuation, Hubbardton, or the retreat toward Fort Edward.

Because these events occurred close together, pension testimony should be compared carefully with contemporary regimental records.

Common Research Errors

Do not confuse the American capture of Ticonderoga in May 1775 with its evacuation in July 1777.

Do not classify every soldier in the Northern Department as a member of St. Clair’s immediate garrison.

Do not assume every soldier at Ticonderoga fought at Hubbardton.

Do not combine the land and water evacuation routes into one movement.

Do not assign abandoned artillery to a particular company without documentary evidence.

Do not assume all Brunswick soldiers belonged to the same regiment.

Do not treat the capture of the fortress as the surrender of St. Clair’s entire army.

Battle Outcome & Casualties

British Victory

Burgoyne captured Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence after the American evacuation.

The British gained control of the defensive complex without conducting a costly frontal assault.

American Manpower Preserved

St. Clair’s withdrawal allowed much of the American garrison to escape.

The retreat preserved soldiers who later participated in the continued defense of the Hudson Valley.

Loss of Artillery

The Americans abandoned substantial artillery at the fortress.

These losses were significant because cannon, ammunition, and associated equipment were difficult to replace.

Loss of Supplies

The British captured military stores, provisions, and other equipment.

Additional American supplies were lost during the subsequent pursuit toward Skenesborough.

Casualties During the Siege

Casualties during the siege itself were limited because the Americans withdrew before a major assault.

Accounts sometimes exaggerate the siege’s casualties by including losses from Hubbardton and Skenesborough.

The Retreat’s Cost

The American withdrawal exposed separate columns to British pursuit.

Significant fighting occurred on July 7, particularly at Hubbardton.

The Military Significance of the Result

The British gained an important fortress and opened the route farther south.

However, the Americans preserved much of their manpower, allowing resistance to continue.

Strategic Aftermath

Shock in the American States

The loss of Ticonderoga caused widespread alarm because the fortress had been regarded as a major defensive stronghold.

Many Americans expected the position to withstand a lengthy siege.

Criticism of St. Clair

St. Clair faced intense criticism for abandoning the fortress.

He defended the decision on the grounds that remaining would have risked the destruction of the garrison.

Schuyler’s Political Difficulties

Philip Schuyler also faced criticism for the failure of the northern defenses.

Political pressure contributed to his replacement as commander of the Northern Department by Horatio Gates later in the summer.

The Battle of Hubbardton

On July 7, British troops under Simon Fraser, supported by German forces, attacked the American rear guard at Hubbardton.

The Americans resisted fiercely before withdrawing. Colonel Ebenezer Francis was killed during the battle.

The Fighting at Skenesborough

British naval forces pursued American vessels and supplies toward Skenesborough.

The resulting action caused further losses of American equipment and disrupted the waterborne evacuation.

The Retreat Toward Fort Edward

American forces withdrew farther south and attempted to regroup.

Schuyler’s army used difficult terrain and obstacles to delay Burgoyne’s advance.

Burgoyne’s Supply Difficulties

As the British moved farther from Canada, their supply line became longer and more difficult to maintain.

Road conditions, transportation shortages, and American resistance slowed the campaign.

The Battle of Bennington

On August 16, American forces defeated a British-led expedition near Bennington.

The defeat cost Burgoyne men and weakened his efforts to obtain supplies and horses.

The Battles of Saratoga

In September and October, Burgoyne’s army fought American forces near Saratoga.

The British failed to break through the American positions and suffered mounting losses.

Burgoyne’s Surrender

On October 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered his army at Saratoga.

The victory at Ticonderoga had been an early success in a campaign that ended in a major British defeat.

The Historical Importance of Ticonderoga

The siege illustrates the importance of terrain and artillery in eighteenth-century warfare.

It also demonstrates that preserving an army could be strategically more important than defending a famous fortress at any cost.

St. Clair lost the position, but the Northern Army continued fighting and ultimately contributed to the defeat of Burgoyne’s campaign.

Primary Sources & Historical Research

The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga is documented through American and British correspondence, military returns, maps, engineering reports, and later historical studies. Important questions include the exact strength of St. Clair’s garrison, the timing of the British occupation of Mount Defiance, the preparations for artillery, and the quantities of military stores abandoned during the evacuation.

Primary Sources

1. Arthur St. Clair’s correspondence and official reports, July 1777. Evidence concerning the American defensive situation and evacuation.
2. Philip Schuyler’s correspondence. Relevant to the Northern Department and the consequences of the retreat.
3. John Burgoyne’s campaign correspondence and official reports. British perspective on the siege and occupation.
4. Friedrich Riedesel’s journals and correspondence. German perspective on the campaign.
5. British engineering reports and maps. Evidence concerning Mount Defiance and the surrounding defensive positions.
6. Continental Army returns. Help establish the strength and organization of St. Clair’s garrison.
7. British inventories of captured military stores. Relevant to the artillery and equipment abandoned at Ticonderoga.
8. Revolutionary War pension applications. Preserve later accounts of service during the siege and withdrawal.

Historical Studies

1. John F. Luzader, Saratoga: A Military History of the Decisive Campaign of the American Revolution. Detailed military study of Burgoyne’s campaign.
2. Richard M. Ketchum, Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War. Narrative history of the northern campaign.
3. Brendan Morrissey, Saratoga 1777: Turning Point of a Revolution. Military analysis of the campaign.
4. Christopher Ward, The War of the Revolution. Broader Revolutionary War military history.
5. Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence archaeological and historical studies. Important for understanding the surviving fortifications and battlefield geography.

Online Historical Resources

1. Fort Ticonderoga. Historic site, collections, and research resources.
2. Mount Independence State Historic Site. Vermont historic-site resources.
3. American Battlefield Trust. Revolutionary War battlefield research.
4. Founders Online — National Archives. Washington’s and other founders’ correspondence.
5. Library of Congress — Historical Maps. Historic maps of the Lake Champlain corridor.
6. National Archives — Revolutionary War Records. Military service and pension records.
7. The National Archives, United Kingdom. British military correspondence and records.

Research Notes and Historical Cautions

Siege dates: July 2–6, 1777.

Location: Fort Ticonderoga, New York, and Mount Independence, Vermont.

American commander: Arthur St. Clair.

British commander: John Burgoyne.

American senior commander: Philip Schuyler.

American strength: Approximately 2,500–3,500 effective troops, depending upon the return used.

British and German strength: Approximately 7,000–8,000 regulars, plus supporting personnel and allies.

Decisive terrain: Mount Defiance.

American defensive complex: Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, and associated works.

British artillery: Preparations to position artillery on Mount Defiance threatened the American defenses; the fortress was evacuated before a sustained bombardment from the height.

Evacuation: Night of July 5–6.

British occupation: July 6.

Immediate result: British victory.

American manpower: Much of the garrison escaped.

American material losses: Substantial artillery and military stores abandoned.

Subsequent engagements: Hubbardton and Skenesborough, July 7.

Historical caution: Do not combine casualties from the siege with those from the subsequent pursuit.

Geographic caution: Mount Defiance, Mount Independence, and Fort Ticonderoga are distinct positions.

Campaign context: The capture of Ticonderoga was an early British success in the campaign that ended with Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga.