What’s Next After Taking Ticonderoga? Ethan Allen Plans Ahead

Posted on May 14, 2025

What’s Next After Taking Ticonderoga? Ethan Allen Plans Ahead

About 250 years ago today—between May 13 and May 15, 1775—Ethan Allen penned another letter to Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull. We recently shared a letter that Allen wrote to Trumbull on May 12 in which he announced the capture of Ticonderoga and made plans to gain naval control over Lake Champlain. In his next letter, Allen’s mind was focused firmly on the future.

Allen begins, “the Hazard of Takeing Ticondaroga was supposed to be such that the Comitee of war for the Expadition Imploy’d Mr. Jonas Fay of Bennington to Proceede with the Scout to said Premises in Character of Doctor & [Surgeon]”. Happily for Allen, the capture of Ticonderoga had been nearly bloodless, with only one American slightly wounded. Allen and his party celebrated their victory but knew more would be required to hold onto their prize. The British still had a ship on Lake Champlain, and less than 100 miles north was Canada, where about 800 British troops were stationed. On May 14, Benedict Arnold sailed north from Crown Point to attack the British Fort St. Jean. As he wrote his letter, Allen was contemplating a raid on the same fort.

Allen writes, “there appears still a Greater Prospect of Need of a Person” with Fay’s skills, “and as Doctor Fay Has with him on the Premises Consderable of a [Quantity] of Medecines &c. and is willing and well skilled to Continue the Campain… I would therefore Recommend him to be Continued by Your Honour’s Appointment… this recommendation… is founded on the Hypothesis that Government will send a Military force to Maintain the [sovereignty] of Lake Champlain in favour of the Colonies”.

Allen’s force had been enough to capture Ticonderoga’s tiny garrison. Keeping the fort and lake under American control would require more men and likely some combat, making Dr. Fay’s continued services vital, but with reinforcements, Allen and others believed their chances were good. Allen had made the first strike; now it was time for the American colonies to provide the resources needed to consolidate their gains.

Learn more about Allen’s letter (object ID MS.3038) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database here.