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In June of 1759, Britain's General Jeffrey Amherst came to the Queen of American Lakes, Lake George and quickly proceeded to construct a new fortification at the lake. The site was located on high ground east of Fort William Henry, which had been damaged by French forces during the General Montcalm's siege of 1757. One British officer described the small fort as "the walls [are] about 14 feet thick built of stone and lime." A year later in 1760, Amherst said of the site: "The bastion enclosed at Fort George is very neat, mounts 15 guns, is very small and a bad defense, but 'twas the shortest, cheapest, and best method of finishing what was begun at the Fort." The Fort was never completed which local residents and tourist can witness firsthand as they walk through the Battlefield park.
(Copyright LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved © 2022; © 2019 Encyclopedia.com; Town Of Lake George. History; Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce; Town Of Lake George; Fred Anderson; and John Ferling)
Fort George's purpose was inter-connection between northern overland obscure pathways from Lake George to Fort Edward thirteen miles to the south. Also to the north Fort Ticonderoga stood about 50 miles from Fort George and was a vital fortification changing hands several times during the era. Later in during the American Revolution it was to a degree unusable, yet Fort George became an significant British position during Burgoyne's invasion of the region. General William Phillips occupied the Fort on July 29, 1777, and the British vacated it after the surrender at Saratoga. It was recaptured by the British on October 11, 1780 but they did not stay long. (Copyright © 2019 Encyclopedia.com; Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce; Town Of Lake George. History; LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved © 2022; John Ferling)
The archaeological examination overseen by Dr. David Starbuck (some years ago) of Plymouth State University and students from SUNY Adirondack investigated the site thoroughly. “Although the scenic ruins of Fort George are an annual attraction for hundreds of thousands of summer visitors, until recently there was no awareness of what else might have survived,” said Starbuck. The group unearthed portions of a rock wall, spanning at least six feet high and five feet thick, along with the debris of a concealed casement chambers utilized for depository of military provisions and weaponry. “Most of these frontier forts were ephemeral or (short-lived) and built to last only a season or two,” said Starbuck. “Only the ruins of Fort George reveal that a British garrison had built more permanent walls, perhaps hoping that they might better survive the next artillery bombardment from French attackers.”(Copyright (c) 2022 Jason Urbanus and Archaeology Magazine, a Publication of the Archaeological Institute of America)
(See): Dr. Russell P. Bellico, Sunken Fleet, pg.3 of 6 and Radeau Warship, pg. 4 of 6. (Copyright 1996 Bateaux Below, Inc)
"The Land Tortoise, built by Colonial and British troops near at the site in 1758, lies two miles north in 107 feet of water. The 52-foot long radeau was found in Lake George in 1990 and a marker was erected in the Park in 1995."(Dr. Russell P. Bellico and Editorial Staff, New York Almanack ) https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2022/02/lake-george-battlefield-other-settings-for-coopers-last-of-the-mohicans/
In 1759 as Amherst was constructing the fortification he named it in recognition of King George II’s. Providing building materials for the fort involved quarrying stone and building a lime kiln for mortar. Evidence of both activities can be seen in the park. Stones from this site were used in building the Colonial Dock at the end of the Fort George Road as well. After Amherst learned that the French had retreated to Canada, he abandoned the location, building a large fort at Crown Point instead. The southwest bastion of the fort never was finished, what we see today is all that remains. (Charles E. Vandrei; Benjamin Franklin DeCosta, James McGee; Willis Tracy Hanson; Fred Anderson; Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce; LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved © 2022; © 2019 Encyclopedia.com; and Editorial Staff, New York Almanack)
Warwick Stevens Carpenter, used a quote from Charles Dudley Warner when he wrote in Harper's Magazine , "Fort George was captured on May 12, 1775, by Col. Bernard Romans, who had originally enrolled as a member of Ethan Allen's expedition against Ticonderoga. When he left Allen's party at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, it was apparently to everybody's satisfaction, and proceeded alone to Fort Edward, where he enlisted sixteen men and went on to Fort Fort George." The fort contained some stores, ....which Romans took possession of for the Continental Army. (Carpenter, Warner pg. 59; Benjamin Franklin DeCosta, James McGee; Willis Tracy Hanson and John Ferling)
In a quote from A Concise History of East and West Florida a APS-Philosophical Society document, we see Romans' history: "Writing just as the revolutionary tide was cresting, Romans was able to secure only 199 subscribers, and the number of additional purchasers was surely hampered by its date of completion: April 25, 1775, six days after Lexington and Concord. Romans himself was diverted by events, and at the expense of his pension, joined the American military effort. On April 29, he volunteered his services as an engineer during the expedition on Fort Ticonderoga, and continuing to serve with the American forces for four or five more years. His eventual fate, however, is uncertain. In one version, he was said to have been captured at sea in 1780 and held as a prisoner of war in Jamaica until 1784, dying on the return home; another version suggests he was captured at Stony Point in 1779, held in England, and murdered for his money while returning to the United States in 1784."(Bernard Romans)
An observation: between Carpenter, Warner, and Romans' A Concise History of East and West Florida Vol. two, it would be safe to suggest that Romans was a traitor to the British cause, much like Benedict Arnold was to the American cause just a few years later. The difference is Arnold became globally known and unfortunately universally held in contempt both on the American side and in Britain. But, we rarely hear of men like Romans, a highly trained, proficient, and elite British soldier ever betraying his home-country during a time of battle. But why?
Horatio Rogers illustrated General John Burgoyne's march south in 1777 from points north, at Hubbardton Vermont, Fort Ann, Fort George, and eventually south to Albany during the summer of and through September of 1777. Rogers suggested Burgoyne's primary reason for defeat was his unwillingness to act quickly and this included the Battle at Bennington and eventually at Fort George. Rogers writes, "His delay in July cost him all chance of success: his advance in September was fatal to his army."(Horatio Rogers, Pgs. [lxxxiii], lxxxii- lxxxiv, Explanatory Chapter; John Ferling; Benjamin Franklin DeCosta and James McGee) At least one questions should be asked: If Burgoyne knew he was beat by the end of July-1777, why would he continue his advance south to Saratoga where the British were conquer by the accomplished and tactician General Benedict Arnold the true hero of the Battle of Saratoga, in my opinion?
Benjamin Franklin DeCosta and James McGee's book depicted the inception, plan of construction, and indebtedness for Fort George belonging too "Mary Ann Rocque, "Topographer to His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester,"" who, in 1765, published at London "A Set of Plans and Forts in America,..." Sketch fourteen of this work shows the general plan of Fort George,..."(DeCosta and McGee, pg. 5; and Willis Tracy Hanson)
Willis Tracy Hanson's book is very exhaustive with several references to Fort George and troops it frequently housed: one man by the name Benjamin Van-VLeck had experience as a builder and wagon maker. In the spring of 1776 was enrolled as a leader under Captain Jacob Vrooman and was stationed at Fort George until winter. One year later in March of 1777 Van-VLeck was once again enrolled under Jacob Van-Deusen. Van-VLeck was known for constructing water-craft at four locations including Fort George. He later returned to Saratoga where he was intendance at Burgoyne's capitulation. In March of 1778 Van-VLeck found himself once-again in the service of the Americans erecting fortifications at Saratoga and "...rebuilding General Schuyler's mills and house. Later his petition for war benefits was unfortunately denied. (Hanson, 248-49)
Ken D. Johnson's work is very comprehensive it maintains at least 20 entries on Fort George, one of many are seen here: “(30) Head Quarters Ticonderoga, New York February 26, 1776. Deputy Adjutant General J. Trumbull to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Gansevoort, informing him that Mister Sheperd the storekeeper at Fort George is to be replaced by Mister [ ] Egberts. Egberts is said to be carrying a letter of introduction from Major General Philip Schuyler.”
(32), "Fort George, New York June 3, 1776. Major General Philip Schuyler to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Gansevoort at Fort George instructing him to send on any troops destined for Canada; and to load thirty men on each batteau. Gansevoort is also instructed to send any small cannon he might have to Colonel [Cornelius D.] Wynkoop for his use on the Lake Champlain boats. Schuyler also instructs that the supply batteaus or [boats] are to have eight oars and are to carry twelve barrels of provisions each. The General orders each batteau's men to carry enough victuals for twelve days. Any expresses received from General George Washington or the Continental Congress are to be forwarded to the major general immediately by the way of Skeensborough.”
(53), At "Fort George, New York July 11, 1776. P. Schuyler to Peter Gansevoort ordering all of the pickaxes that can be spared; all of the grindstones, but two; all of the pitch and oakum, but one barrel of pitch and one barrel of oakum; and fifteen casks of nails of all sizes be forwarded immediately to General [Horatio] Gates at Ticonderoga. Schuyler also orders that all entrenching tools, axes, and naval stores arriving at Fort George from Albany be sent immediately to Ticonderoga. Schuyler also encloses an order for four casks of the largest nails and a grindstone to be forwarded immediately to Assistant Deputy Quarter Master Schuyler, at Skeensborough and where they are to [be]placed under the care of Cornelius Wynkoop.”(Johnson)
Bayard Tuckerman's book depicted Fort George in a letter written by James Lockwood to Silas Deane at the Fort in the fall of 1775 during the dawn of American Independence. The American forces were commanded by Major-General Richard Montgomery (after Montgomery left the British cause) on their march to Canada. Lockwood wrote, "I am not unacquainted how apt soldiers are to report groundless ill-natured stories about officers, neither do I believe one-fiftieth part of the complaints against General Schuyler..." "...neither the officers nor the soldiers of the army love him, and Montgomery, who has been the darling of the army, they now complain much of."(Bayard Tuckerman, pgs. 109-10)
Comprehensive Historical Sources:
Bayard Tuckerman. Life of General Philip Schuyler, 1733-1804. LeLand Stanford Jr. University Library. Irvington-on-Hudson, New York, February, 1905. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1904. Hill and Leonard, New York City. Copyright, 1903, by Dodd, Mead and Company. Pp. (Preface, Contents), 1- 277.
Benjamin Franklin DeCosta and James McGee. Notes on the History of Fort George During the Colonial and Revolutionary Periods, With Contemporaneous Documents and an Appendix. Bequest of Charles Minot, Class of 1828. (New York: J. Sabin & Sons, 1871). Google Books. (Preface, Chapter I), 1- 78.
Bernard Romans A Concise History of East and West Florida, Intro By Rembert W. Patrick. (Gainesville : Univ. of Florida Press, 1962). (New York : For the Author, 1775). The APS copy of Romans' Concise History was presented to the Society by it librarian, John Vaughan in 1806. APS Philosophical Society.
Introduction:
Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce, on Lake George. The Queen of American Lakes – Lake George. Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce. Chamber of Commerce Website Design and Development by Mannix Marketing, Inc.
Charles E. Vandrei. Lake George Battlefield Park, Sites of Two Great Early American Conflicts. Agency Historic Preservation Officer, Division of Lands and Forests. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY. 2 Pages.
Encyclopedia.com. Fort William Henry (Fort George), New York. AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA PUBLISHER. Revised by Michael Bellesiles. Copyright © 2019 Encyclopedia.com All rights reserved).
Fred Anderson. Crucible of War, Vintage Books. Copyright 2000 by Fred Anderson. 862 Pages. [See Pages, Fort George: xxxi, 340-43, 674-79].
Horatio Rogers, (Edited) and James Murray Hadden, Guy Carleton Baron Dorchester, John Burgoyne, and William Phillips. Hadden's Journal and Orderly Books: A Journal Kept in Canada and Upon Burgoyne's Campaign in 1776 and 1777. (Albany, N.Y. Joel Munsell's Son's MDCCLXXXIV-[1784]). Harvard College Library. Google Books. 581 Pages.
Jason Urbanus, (November/December 2015). Lake George's Unfinished Fort. Archaeology, A publication of the Archaeological Institute of America. (Copyright (c) 2022 Archaeology Magazine, a Publication of the Archaeological Institute of America)
John Ferling. Almost A Miracle, Oxford University Press. Copyright 2007 by John Ferling. 679 Pages.[See Pages, Fort George: 222-25, 235-237, 380-83].
Ken D. Johnson. THE BLOODIED MOHAWK. CALENDAR OF THE MILITARY PAPERS OF PETER GANSEVOORT, [SENIOR] July 4, 1754 through December 31, 1780. THE MILITARY PAPERS OF GENERAL PETER GANSEVOORT. July 4, 1754 through September 22, 1780 NEW YORK STATE ARCHIVES SERIES AO131. (Rights Reserved to the Author: Ken D. Johnson, and Copyright 05 May 2007).
Home:
Lake George.com. Lake George Colonial Wars Walking Tour Stop 11: Fort George Ruins and Lake George Colonial Wars Walking Tour Stop 12: Native American. (LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved © 2022).
Editorial Staff, New York Almanack (February 10, 2022). Lake George Battlefield, More Than Just A Setting for Cooper’s ‘Last of the Mohicans.’ Editorial Staff, New York Almanack. (No copyright information)
New York State Archives, Digital Collections. Ruins of Old Fort George. circa 1920. Contributor: Neil B. Reynolds. Source: New York State Library, Neil B. Reynolds Photograph Collection, PR5151, no. 137. "Empire State Conservationist" Photographs. The New York State Archives, Office of Cultural Education, and Office of the New York State Education Department.
Dr. Russell P. Bellico, Bob Benway, Tim Cordell, John Farrell, Scott Padeni, and Joseph W. Zarzynski. The Colonial Wars in Lake George, Self-Guided Tour. Art By: Tim Cordell. Photography by: Bob Benway. Reprinted with the permission of Bateaux Below, Inc with historical updates provided by Dr. Russell P. Bellico and Dr. Lyn Karig Hohmann. (Copyright 1996 Bateaux Below, Inc). https://lakegeorgechamber.com/assets/pdf_files/SKM_C36818052514060.pdf
Town Of Lake George. History. Website Design and Hosting by: Edmunds GovTech. (© Copyright 2022 Town of Lake George. All Rights Reserved).
Warwick Stevens Carpenter, Delaware and Hudson Company. The summer paradise in history: a compilation of fact and tradition covering Lake George, Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains, and other sections reached by the rail and steamer lines of the Delaware and Hudson Company. University of California Library. General Passenger Department, The Delaware and Hudson Company, Albany. American Bank Note Company. Copyright, 1914 by A. A. Heard. Google Books. Pp. (Foreword- Introduction), 18- 128.
Willis Tracy Hanson. A History of Schenectady During the Revolution: To which is Appended a Contribution to the Individual Records of the Inhabitants of the Schenectady District During that Period. Harvard College Library. Google Books. (Copyright, 1916 by Willis T. Hanson, Jr). Pp. (Introduction), viii - 304.
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