Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
Nice grouping pertaining to Fort Ticonderoga, includes: Revolutionary War commission for Reuben French, 1pp. oblong folio, June 27, 1777, and reads in part: “...YOU being appointed Ensign of a Company of Infantry Raised for the Defence and Security of this and the other New England States in the Company where of Silas Holfer is captain in the Regiment where John Robinson is Colonel...” Signed by over a dozen men. Fine condition....plus; Manuscript Document “Minutes of the Number of Men killed and taken since the evaucation of Ticonderoga for Adonyah French from Eleazar Inft. November 16, 1777” 1pp. folio, and lists “British Troops”, “Canadians”, “Foreigners” and more. Very good condition....plus; Reuben French’s own Lion Head sword , 29-1/2” overall, with 23-1/2” blade. Fine condition. (3 items) The 1777 Siege of Fort Ticonderoga occurred between July 2-6, 1777 at Fort Ticonderoga, near the southern end of Lake Champlain in the state of New York. Lieutenant General John Burgoyne's 8,000-man army occupied high ground above the fort, and nearly surrounded the defences. These movements precipitated the occupying Continental Army, an under-strength force of 3,000 under the command of General Arthur St. Clair, to withdraw from Ticonderoga and the surrounding defences. Some gunfire was exchanged, and there were some casualties, but there was no formal siege and no pitched battle. Burgoyne's army occupied Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, the extensive fortifications on the Vermont side of the lake, without opposition on 6 July. Advance units pursued the retreating Americans. The uncontested surrender of Ticonderoga caused an uproar in the American public and in its military circles, as Ticonderoga was widely believed to be virtually impregnable, and a vital point of defence. General St. Clair and his superior, General Philip Schuyler, were vilified by Congress. Both were eventually exonerated in courts martial, but their careers were adversely affected. Schuyler had already lost his command to Horatio Gates by the time of the court martial, and St. Clair held no more field commands for the remainder of the war.
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