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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.