Reunion of Revolutionary War Letters at Fort Ticonderoga
A significant event recently took place at a museum in upstate New York, marking the reunion of letters written 250 years ago. This gathering was announced by Fort Ticonderoga in a statement on May 21. The fort, located near Lake Champlain, played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and earlier conflicts, such as the one between France and India.
Notably, it was at Fort Ticonderoga that Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold famously captured the British stronghold in May 1775, making a notable impact on the early Revolutionary War efforts.
The letters in question were correspondences between Arnold and John Stevens, penned shortly after a landmark event. In a letter dated May 17, Arnold informed Stevens of his and Allen’s recent encounter, where they faced an attack after Allen’s leadership in an assault on the British-held St. Jean in Quebec.
In his account, Arnold described how Allen’s group, exhausted from the battle, had to retreat unexpectedly. Stevens responded by noting the ongoing challenges of securing enlistments but reassured that provisions for the U.S. military were being organized.
“He helped capture Fort Ticonderoga, and had already sailed north, attacking another British post in St. Jean, Quebec,” Arnold mentioned.
Stevens reported that cities like Albany were continually sending reinforcements to support the cause.
Matthew Keagle, curator of Fort Ticonderoga, shared insights about Arnold’s infamous fall from grace after these letters were written. He noted that Arnold managed to flip control from the British Crown in less than two weeks, showcasing his pivotal role during that period.
In discussing the rivalry between Arnold and Allen, Keagle emphasized that while both were on similar missions, Arnold had received formal government endorsement for his actions, which created a tense partnership that soon collapsed after the fort’s capture.
Interestingly, Stevens is not a widely recognized figure in the historical narrative, yet he played an important part in the independence struggle. After the fort’s capture, he commanded the army at Fort George until July 1775 and later served as captain of the Connecticut Regiment before being captured by the British in 1776.
The recently reunited letters had been quite separate since their original exchanges in May 1775. While Stevens’ letters remained at Fort Ticonderoga for many years, Arnold’s were given to the museum recently in memory of a former trustee.
These letters are now part of the “Treasures of Ticonderoga in 1775” display, allowing museum visitors to engage with authentic documents and artifacts from that significant time.
This reunion not only brings history to life but also underscores the important role New York played during the Revolutionary War. In a related initiative, the New York State Museum has initiated exhibitions showcasing ships from the revolutionary era at its Albany location, further enriching the historical landscape of the state.
