Fort Edward (1)

Fort Edward (1) (1755-1766, 1777-1780) - The site of Fort Nicholson (1709), Fort Lydius (1731), Fort Lyman (1755) and Fort Edward (1757). The site is located at the town of Fort Edward in Washington County, New York. Finally abandoned as a military fortification in 1780.

Fort Edward Marker Site at the End of Old Fort Road

Overview

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The location of this fort was a strategic point along the water route that led from New York City via the Hudson River, across Lake George and Lake Champlain to Montreal and Quebec City. French, British and American forces all sought to control this water route as the key to control of New England and much of the eastern seaboard. Some of the forts along this route changed hands several times over the course of two major wars, the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Lake Champlain, Lake George and the Hudson River were not connected by navigable waters and portages were require to move supplies and boats from one to the next. These portage points had been used for centuries by natives and were well defined. The first portage or "Great Carrying Place" as it was known, was from the Hudson River to Wood's Creek by the present day town of Fort Ann for access to Lake Champlain and Lake George. The second portage was from the north shore of Lake George to Lake Champlain around the falls of the La Chute River. These land crossings were very strategic to blocking any invading force going north or south, there were not any other options if a large force was involved. The major fortifications along this water route included the fortifications at Crown Point (Fort St. Frederic, Fort Crown Point), the fortifications below Crown Point (Fort Carillon, Fort Ticonderoga), the fortifications at the south end of Lake George (Fort William Henry) and the fortifications at the head of navigation on the Hudson River (Fort Edward (1), etc). Further down the Hudson the Revolutionary War fortifications at Fortress West Point (Fort Constitution , Fort Clinton) also played an important role.

Queen Anne's War (1702-1713)

In 1709, Colonel Francis Nicholsen built a crude stockade to protect his storehouses and log huts for a garrison of about 450 men. The garrison included several companies of "regulars in scarlet uniform from old England." The fortification was named Fort Nicholson. The post was probably abandoned at the close of the war in 1713.

In 1732, John Henry Lydius built a fortified trading post on the site that became known as Fort Lydius.

King George's War (1744-1748)

During King George's War in 1745 Fort Lydius may have been destroyed and rebuilt as a result of raids by the French and their Indian allies.

French & Indian War (1754-1763)

In 1755, during the French and Indian War General Phineas Lyman established a fort on the site of the ruins of old Fort Lydius in support of General William Johnson's effort to take the French Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point. Construction of the new fort was supervised by Captain William Eyre. Soon after the Battle of Lake George on 8 Sep 1755 the new fort was renamed Fort Edward after Edward, Duke of York and Albany. The Battle of Lake George was a bloody clash between the British Colonial forces and the French, both with Indian allies. The result was inconclusive, General Johnson was not able to take Fort St. Frederic but he did advance far enough to establish Fort William Henry on the south shore of Lake George.

Fort Edward expanded greatly during the French & Indian War and came to include barracks and other facilities on Roger's Island as well as a large fortification along the river bank. A foot bridge was built between the island and the main fort. The perimeter of the fort was some 1,569' and the walls were 16' high and 22" thick. Armament included eight cannons and about 20 mortars. The barracks could garrison some 500 troops.

In 1857, after British forces surrendered Fort William Henry to the French in August 1757, Rogers Rangers were stationed at Fort Edward on Rogers Island. The island was named for Major Robert Rogers founder of Rogers Rangers. Rogers Rangers trained at, and operated from Fort Edward.

Current Status

Markers only, mostly private property in the town of Fort Edward and on Rogers Island, Washington County, New York.

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Location: In the town of Fort Edward and on Rogers Island, Washington County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 43.267149 Long: -73.584606 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 119'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 549-550

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Edward
• History of Fort Edward (pdf file)
• Rogers Island Visitor Center
• Old Fort House Museum
• New York Military Forts - Fort Edward
• New York Military Forts - Fort Lydius
• New York Military Forts - Fort Lyman

Visited: 13 Jul 2012

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