Fort Ticonderoga reenactment this weekend

You are currently viewing Fort Ticonderoga reenactment this weekend

The Battle of Carillon will be experienced anew next weekend as FortTiconderoga hosts a two-day reenactment of the battle in which French soliders defeated a British force four times its size.

The event, which takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, brings to life the story of the courageous French soldiers that protected their lines of defense against all odds. 

Visitors will meet the British and Provincial soldiers who gave their utmost to drive the French from the rocky peninsula and fortress of Carillon, later named Ticonderoga. Visitors will experience the fog of war and smoky haze of battle as the French and British armies maneuver across FortTiconderoga’s historic landscape at battle re-enactments at 1:30 pm each day. 

“During this dramatic event, visitors will discover how the Battle of Carillon sealed the reputation of Ticonderoga for generations to come,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga’s President and CEO. “The July 8 battle resulted in the greatest number of casualties in one day until the American Civil War and as a result, Ticonderoga became a legend in its own time.”

On July 5, 1758, the largest military force ever assembled in North America embarked by bateaux down Lake George. The following day, on their way to the fort, the British encountered French scouts and during the ensuing battle Lord Howe was killed, striking a major blow to the British.

On July 8 the British attacked the fort. “After seven hours of fighting, the British had suffered casualties of nearly 2,000 men killed and wounded. Broken and dismayed, the British retreated back to their camp at the southern end of Lake George.  The retreating soldiers brought with them the story of this great battle, taking the name Ticonderoga home to taverns and newspapers in America and Britain,” said Stuart Lilie, Fort Ticonderoga Director of Interpretation.

Admission to Montcalm’s Cross Battle Re-enactment is included in a Fort Ticonderoga’s general admission ticket.  For the full event schedule and to learn more about the event visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.