Fort Ticonderoga

While today is Valentine’s Day, 250 years ago today—February 14, 1776—war, not love, was on Nicholas Fish’s mind. The 17-year-old Fish, son of a wealthy New York family, had planned on life as a lawyer, studying law at King’s College in New York City and befriending fellow young patriot Alexander Hamilton. War put a stop to his plans. On February 14, 1776, Fish purchased a book, signing his name and the date on the title page. The book promised to teach him a subject more relevant to his current plans than law.

The book Fish purchased was “Military Instructions for Officers Detached in the Field” by Roger Stevenson. It was originally published in England, but Fish’s copy was an American edition, published in Philadelphia by prolific printer Robert Aitken. Aitken, a supporter of the Revolution and printer of the journals of the Continental Congress, added a dedication to the American edition of the work; the book was the first to be dedicated to “the Honourable George Washington, Esq.; General and Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the United American Colonies.”

Fish would have many occasions to use his new military knowledge in the field. At the time he bought the book, he was serving as a lieutenant in Colonel John Lasher’s 1st Battalion of New York Independents. On August 9, 1776 he was made brigade major to General John Morin Scott, a lawyer whom Fish had clerked for before the war. He now served with him in the defense of New York, including at the Battle of Long Island. After the New York campaign, Fish received a Continental commission as a major. He served in the Continental Army for the rest of the war, fighting at the Battles of Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown.

The war changed the trajectory of Fish’s career for good; he became a politician, but continued in military service as well. He served as a major in the 1st American Regiment of the new United States Army in 1785. In 1784 he was chosen as New York’s first adjutant general, head of the state’s military forces, and served for nearly a decade.

Learn more about the book (object ID 528) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database: https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/32453

When the American Revolution began, Indigenous communities throughout North America were drawn into the conflict. British and American politicians worked to convince Indigenous nations to either stay neutral or join their side, and they were willing to punish those who didn`t. Native communities were divided as people and families disagreed on the best path to keep themselves and their homes safe.

On February 12, 1776—250 years ago today—the Connecticut Committee of the Pay Table ordered that Pantry Jones and Joseph Pratt be paid 2 pounds, 5 shillings “for two horses [&] Waggon to Transport the Cognowago Indians from Hartford to Providence”. The “Cognowago” referred to here were likely Mohawk people who lived in the community of Kahnawake in Canada. The people Jones and Pratt helped transport may have been a group led by Akiatonharónkwen or Louis Cook, a Kahnawake chief with Abenaki and African ancestry.

Akiatonharónkwen and many other Kahnawakes were friendlier toward the Americans than the British government; the community had kinship ties with New England, and some members were studying at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. In January 1776 Akiatonharónkwen led a party of Kahnawake diplomats to Albany to meet with Philip Schuyler, then to Cambridge to meet with George Washington. He offered to join the American army, promising to raise 400-500 soldiers.

Akiatonharónkwen and Kahnawake would take different paths. The majority of Kahnawake residents, along with the other communities known as the Seven Nations of Canada, aimed for neutrality. Some men of the Seven Nations served alongside General John Burgoyne in the Saratoga Campaign, but many stayed at home, trying to maintain good relations with the British who controlled their territory while not committing themselves to the war. Akiatonharónkwen, on the other hand, threw in his lot with the Americans. He fought with the Americans at Oriskany and Fort Stanwix and was later made a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army.

Learn about this pay order (object ID MS.7674, property of Robert Nittolo) on the Ticonderoga Online Collections database: https://fortticonderoga.catalogaccess.com/archives/31577

KNOX ON THE TRAIL SPOTLIGHT: To Win The Siege: The Noble Train Arrives at Minuteman National Historic Park

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Noble Train of Artillery will reach the road in Massachusetts where the Revolutionary War began, as the Continental Army prepared the guns from Ticonderoga for action in the siege of Boston.

Following April 19, 1775, the towns of Lexington & Concord hosted the militia that became the Continental Army, who dug in on the hills surrounding Boston harbor. When Henry Knox delivered vital artillery from Ticonderoga, the work of outfitting these cannons with carriages, ammunition, and implements began.

Beyond the arrival of sleds bearing cannon, Fort Ticonderoga’s skilled artificers will demonstrate the vital trades work to bring cannons into action at Boston. Visitors can see the laboratory work of building cannon ammunition, carpentry outfitting cannon carriages, and the daily life of Continental soldiers, encamping within the communities surrounding Boston. This exciting REAL TIME REVOLUTION® event begins the next chapter of the Noble Train of Artillery, setting the scene for Evacuation Day, and decisive campaigns of Independence to come.

We are excited to lead this program at the Minuteman National Historic Park and continue to share this unfolding story of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery as we highlight this 250th Anniversary!

How did Henry Knox actually move Fort Ticonderoga’s artillery to Boston in the winter of 1775–1776? This new video breaks down the practical techniques and problem solving that made this famous feat possible.

Watch now on YouTube at the link in bio!

#Northerndepartment #America250 #REALTIMEREVOLUTION

Huge congratulations to our visionary President and CEO, Beth Hill! 🎉 She`s been named Economic Developer of the Year by the North Country Chamber of Commerce!

Beth`s incredible leadership has turned Fort Ticonderoga into a thriving economic force for our region, preserving history while building a prosperous future. From attracting visitors to creating jobs, her impact, along with the entire team at Fort Ticonderoga, is undeniable!

We`re especially proud as we gear up for #America250, where Fort Ticonderoga is playing a central role in celebrating our nation`s enduring legacy. 🙌

#FortTiconderoga #EconomicImpact #AwardWinner #NorthCountryNY

READ MORE: https://fortticonderoga.org/news/north-country-chamber-of-commerce-names-beth-hill-and-fort-ticonderoga-the-economic-developer-of-the-year/

On Saturday, February 7th, an immersive REAL TIME REVOLUTION® experience transports visitors back to the lowest decline of the Continental Army at Ticonderoga – joining a minuscule guard of six sentinels, the first new recruits of 1776 reached Fort Ticonderoga. While George Washington, General Phillip Schuyler, and the Continental Congress managed two sieges and the raising of an army, soldiers and their families kept Fort Ticonderoga open for recruits and resupply.

Highlighted programming throughout the day brings to life soldiers’ experience as they maintained Fort Ticonderoga along a frozen road of ice in February 1776.

See the full visitor schedule: https://fortticonderoga.org/ft_events/real-time-revolution-living-history-event-the-precarious-garrison-ticonderoga/

Step back 250 years into the heart of the American Revolution this winter! Fort Ticonderoga is rolling out its “Winter Quarters” season (through April) with a powerhouse lineup of immersive living history events, virtual programming, premium behind-the-scenes tours, and hands-on workshops, all under the banner of its multi-year REAL TIME REVOLUTION® 250th commemoration.

Learn more: https://fortticonderoga.org/news/fort-ticonderoga-unlocks-real-time-revolution-war-drama-with-epic-winter-program-lineup/