Fort TiconderogaSee also, the Battle of Ticonderoga Fort
Ticonderoga is a large 18th century fort built at a
strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short
traverse gives access to the north end of Lake George. The fort
controlled both commonly used trade routes between the English-
controlled Hudson River Valley and the French-controlled Saint
Lawrence River Valley. The name "Ticonderoga" comes from an
Iroquois word meaning "the place between two waters". The French
built a fort called Fort Carillon there in 1755. That name
apparently derived from the musical sounds of a nearby
waterfall. In 1758 the British, under General Abercombrie,
staged a frontal attack with 16,000 troops and were soundly
defeated by 4,000 French defenders. This battle gave the fort an
undeserved reputation for invulnerability. The 42nd Highland
Regiment (the Black Watch) was especially badly mauled in the
attack on Fort Carillon, giving rise to a legend involving a
Scottish Major Duncan Campbell. The fort was captured