I found Fort William Henry to be one of the best stops for people interested in history. The fort is located just a little west of the Lake George Battlefield in Northern New York. The building of the fort was ordered by William Johnson. The construction was over seen by William Eyer a British military engineer.
Fort William Henry
The fort was attacked twice by the French and Indians. The first attack occurred while Eyer was the forts commander. Eyer was able to repel the assault and hold the fort. The second attack which is better known was made famous by the novel “Last of the Mohicans” and by the Fort William Henry massacre. The fort which was destroyed in the second attack has been restored back to what it was at the time of the attack.
The fort when it was fully occupied was the third largest settlement in the English colonies. Only New York and Philadelphia had larger populations.
While touring the fort you will meet several reenactors, who will help to bring it all to life for you. They fire both muskets and cannon as well as guide you on ghost tours on select nights. I have not been on the ghost tour but I think it could be interesting.
The Lake George Battlefield is a very important part of American history. However the battle is unknown to most people. Before getting into the first battle of Lake George lets do some background on the lake.
Lake George
Thirteen miles to the South of Lake George is the Hudson River which flows through the state of New York. To the North, Lake George flows into Lake Champlain which flows on toward Montreal and Quebec. Because there were no roads the rivers were the means of travel and trade. Lake George was first named Lake Andiatarocte by the native people, which means place where the lake contracts. Later Father Isaac Jogues named the Lake “Lac du Saint Sacrement” or Lake of the Holy Sacrament. It received the name Lake George from William Johnson after the first battle of Lake George, in honor of King George.
Father Jogues
Colonel Lyman and his Company of militia marched up the Hudson and built a fort thirteen miles from Lake George at the carry place. (This is a place found by the native Americans where you can carry your boats from one water way to another.) The fort which the Connecticut Militia named Fort Lyman (Changed to Fort Edward by Johnson) would protect New York and the other English Colonies from French and Indian attacks.
Later militias from other colonies joined Lyman’s and they marched North to attack the French Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point. Being made up of only militias, there was only on real English soldier with them. Captain William Eyre was an engineer assigned to Johnson to help build forts and the placement of cannons. The larger army (about two thousand men) was led by William Johnson and moved quickly to the southern shore of Lake George. They camped on some high ground (Lake George Battlefield} just southeast of present day Lake George.
High Ground English Camp
The French learned of Johnsons plans and sent Baron Dieskau and 3,500 men south to stop him. When the Baron arrived at Ticonderoga where Lake George and Lake Champlain join he left some of his men there to built a fort. Dieskau then continued south to meet Johnson at the Lake George Battlefield .
Besides provincial troops Johnson was also accompanied by two hundred Mohawks and their Chief Hendrick Theyanoquin.
Johnson and Hendrick
Johnson’s troops had turned wagons on their sides and cut trees in an effort to built fortifications. The French army fought in traditional European style. When the battle was over the French withdrew and Dieskau was taken prisoner. Chief Hendrick was killed in the fighting. A thing which is over looked by most when the battle is talked about is 200 Mohawks fought with the English and about 700 Native Americans including some Mohawks fought with the French.
To Honor Native Americans
The Lake George Battlefield was the first time American Militia faced a well trained European army in combat. It showed the Colonies what could be done.
