New York’s Frontier on Fire: Major Christopher Carleton’s Raid in 1780 – September 23, 2022

Friday, September 23, 2022 (8:00am to 5:00pm)

Departure: Fort Ticonderoga, NY

Led by: Patrick Niles and Bruce Venter

Registration Fee: $135.00 Cash or Check – $141.00 Credit Card

The 1780 Carleton Raid devastated the present-day New York State counties of Saratoga, Warren, and Washington. It was known as the “Great Burning” because most of the structures along the “Old Military Road” were destroyed. British Maj. Christopher Carleton’s raid was part of a larger strategy that played out across upstate New York and Vermont. Together with Carleton’s raiders, Sir John Johnson swept across the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys, Col. John Munro attacked Ballston Spa, and Lt. Richard Houghton raided Royalton, Vermont during the autumn of 1780.

While Carleton’s raid has been largely overshadowed by Johnson’s march through the Mohawk Valley, the young officer’s exploits played an integral part in the Crown’s overall strategy in 1780. Our tour will shed new light on Carleton’s operations and give you a better understanding of the simultaneous operations against American frontier settlements and posts.

Maj. Carleton and Lt. John Enys, both of the 29th Regiment of Foot, left descriptions of their travel and actions taken during the 1780 expedition. From Fort Ticonderoga, we will travel south to Whitehall (formerly Skenesborough) where American prisoner exchanges complicated Carleton’s plans. We’ll go through Fort Anne to pick up Carleton’s original route. We’ll approach from the west passing the sites of Philip Skene’s sawmill, blockhouse and the falls as depicted in Thomas Anburey’s Journal through America. The military actions taken before, during, and immediately after the surrender of Fort Anne will be discussed.

We’ll continue south along the Old Military Road to where Carleton decided to bypass Fort Edward to burn unprotected structures in the town of Kingsbury. Carleton’s main force camped for the evening at Wing’s Tavern next to Wing’s Falls (present-day Glens Falls.) From Wing’s Tavern, Carleton sent out raiders to burn the Queensbury District and another party to burn as far as Saratoga (present-day Schuylerville.) We will travel along Carleton’s route on the Old Military Road toward Fort George, stopping at the site of Fort Amherst, a post used during both French and Indian War and the American Revolution. As we continue to Lake George, we’ll stop at the site of the “second massacre” at Bloody Pond. Fort George was the final objective of the raid. We’ll tour the ruins of Fort George and visit the new Visitors Interpretation Center created by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance as a museum with help from the NYS Dept. of Environment Conservation. Carleton retreated up the western side of Lake George and we’ll follow his route back to Fort Ticonderoga, pointing out sites along the way associated with Carleton’s command.

Other important information: This tour is limited to one bus, so please register early. A minimum of 20 participants is needed to run the tour. This is a walking and field tour so wear comfortable shoes. The bus will leave the main parking lot of Fort Ticonderoga at 8 AM and return to the same location by 5 PM. You may also wish to attend Fort Ticonderoga’s Annual Seminar on the American Revolution. You must register for the Seminar directly with Fort Ticonderoga.

What’s included: Motor coach transportation, lunch, snack and beverage breaks, all admissions and gratuities, a map and materials package and the services of tour leaders selected for their knowledge and expertise.

Our Tour Leaders: Patrick Niles recently completed the Official Guide Program for Saratoga National Historical Park and will begin giving battlefield tours this year. He has also been working with the Pomeroy Foundation to install historical markers related to Carleton’s 1780 raid route. He was on the committee which developed the Baum Trail from Fort Miller to the Bennington Battlefield. Pat has served as a trustee, past president, and is currently vice-president of the Washington County Historical Society. He has developed and presented numerous tours throughout Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.

Register online:

Registration Fee: $141.00

Register by phone, e-mail, or U.S.P.S.:

• Call Bruce Venter at 703-785-4373 or e-mail at bruceventer@aol.com with any questions you may have
• Postal address is America’s History LLC, PO Box 1076, Goochland, VA 23063.

America’s History LLC accepts Visa, Master Card or Discover. We’re happy to take checks too!