Tag Archives: Fort Carillon

Boat ride into history

Boat ride into history

Fort William Henry, Fort William Henry, Fort William Henry, French and Indian War, History, Lake George, Lake George, New York, Robert Rogers, Robert Rogers, Roberts Rangers, , , , , ,

While visiting Lake George, I really wanted to do one thing and that was to take a boat ride into history. History can be found from one end of the lake to the other . At the southern most point is the Lake George battlefield and Fort William Henry, The northern end is the home of Fort Ticonderoga. Both William Henry and Ticonderoga are well known from school or movies, but there are so many other things that took place in between these two points.

In the book I am writing I try to tell the lesser known stories.  The stories not taught or put into movies.   William Johnson asked the Mohawk Chief Hendrick to take his men with the militia and scout for the French and if possible to attack them. Johnson could see Hendrick did not like the plan so he asked what was wrong. Hendrick looked at his friend and said “If you are sending us to defeat  the French, you are not sending enough men. If you are sending us to die, you are sending to many men.” Hendrick went with the English on what was later called the ‘Bloody Morning Scout”. The Mohawk Chief was one of the first men killed.

Battle on Snowshoes:

The Lake George area was the base of operations for Robert Rogers and his rangers.  US army rangers still today study the rules developed by Rogers in the 1750’s.  Rogers and his men were scouting the French traveling just across the first ridge so they could not be seen from the Lake.  The Rangers traveled by means of snowshoes because the snow was four foot deep. The Rangers ran into a much larger French force and after several hours of fighting Rogers ordered his remaining men to split up and fall back. The story tells of both the French and the Indians wanting Rogers. They followed his track up the hill, knowing that the top of the hill was a cliff and Rogers would be theirs.

Lake George

When they came to the cliff Rogers was gone.  There many stories about how Rogers escaped. But when asked Rogers never answered the question. Rogers Rock is a Park you can visit.

Sabbath Day Point Massacre:

The Ottawa ambushed  a force of about three hundred men from New Jersey (Jersey Blues)  and fifty New Yorkers at Sabbath Day Point. The Native Americans killed one hundred English in the action with one hundred fifty English taken poisoner.  Colonel Parker who commanded the Blues made it back to William Henry with about one hundred men.

Lake George

The Islands:

The islands played an important part in the fighting, as neither side knew who or what could be hidden there.  Simon Stevens on a mission to scout Fort Carillon decide to land his boats on one of the island and wait until dark to be safe. As his men pulled the two boats ashore they found they had landed in the center of an Indian camp.

Lake George, New York
Lake George

If you take Boat ride into history at lake George you will pass these places and many others. Some of the photos I used are not the real spots. I could not talk about a 1700’s battle and show a playground. So I pick a photo which show what I think it would have looked like in the 1700’s. I have told only small bits about several events. Their stories are far longer and more interesting than I have made them in this post.

Lake George Battlefield

Baron Dieskau, Battle of Lake George, Chief Hendrick, French and Indian War, History, Lake George, Lake George, Mohawks, New York, William Eyre, William Johnson, , , , , , , , , ,

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 Battlefield
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.

Lake George Battlefield
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.

Lake George Battlefield
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.

Lake George Battlefield
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.

Lake George Battlefield
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.