With the upcoming semiquincentennial (250-year) anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies from Imperial British rule, I decided I should start a series of geocaches highlighting well known and lesser known parts of history regarding the American War of Independence.
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, along Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, was in a strategic position between Canada and the Hudson River Valley. Nevertheless, the British, who may not have taken the rebellious Americans seriously, chose to defend it lightly, with a garrison of only about 50 men.
The Green Mountain Boys, a Vermont-based militia, decided to take advantage of the British short-sightedness. At dawn on May 10, 1775, a force of less than 100 militiamen, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, crossed the lake and surprised the still-sleeping British. It was the first real victory of the Revolutionary War, and boosted the colonists’ morale. Even more importantly, the Americans were able to seize and repurpose the fort’s cannons and transport them to Boston, for use in the siege of British-held Boston.
Lake Champlain's other claim to fame is an elusive cryptid within its waters. What is this water monster's local name?
- Altamaha-ha = N 41° 21.482′ W 88° 33.371′
- Champ = N 41° 20.684′ W 88° 33.062′
- Ogopogo = N 41° 20.945′ W 88° 32.144′