An Archaeological Survey of the Land Approach to Mount...

An Archaeological Survey of the LandApproach to Mount Independence, 1776-1777

Orwell, Addison County, Vermontby Ronald F. Kingsley

Abstract

Documents concerned with the American occupation ofTiconderoga during 1776-1777 indicate that Americanleaders held high expectations for a natural defensive posi-tion on a high bluff, directly across Lake Champlain fromthe fort at Ticonderoga. The Americans constructed a for-tified post and named it Mount Independence. On the flatneck of land below the Mount the Rebels cut a crude mili-tary road. When completed, it would connect with theGreat Road which was constructed from Crown Point toFort Number Four on the Connecticut River. During 1777this primitive military road and the land surrounding thebase of the Mount would become the location of unfoldingevents in the history of Mount Independence during theAmerican Revolution.

Preface

Since the summer of 1987 an archaeological survey pro-ject, The German Auxiliaries in the Burgoyne Campaign of1777, has been in progress. The survey involves a half- toa mile-wide strip of land parallel to Lake Champlain, andextending along seven miles of the Lake and the East Creekshoreline in Addison County. The purpose of the researchproject is to document and interpret the activities of thehired German auxiliaries who engaged the Americansaround the Mount in July 1777. The German AuxiliariesProject (GAP) is an unfunded, independent study, conduct-ed in collaboration with the Vermont Division for HistoricPreservation and Fort Ticonderoga. The findings from thestudy are in the process of being interpreted and dissemi-nated in reports, articles, and public presentations(Kingsley 1987-1996, n.d., 1996).

This article addresses in particular the findings of thearchaeological survey conducted on a portion of the totalproject area, namely on the land approach south of MountIndependence. The intent of this report is to summarize the

evidence, make recommendations for preservation, andestablish a record which will be available for use by futureresearchers.

Setting

No history of the Lake Champlain Basin during theAmerican Revolution would be complete without therecognition of the events that occurred more than two cen-turies ago on a small peninsula. The basic geographic fea-tures still appear, as they probably did in 1776, as a tower-ing mass of rock arising from the Lake and covered bybrush, cliffs, and trees. A low and narrow strip of land,three miles long and over a half-mile wide, extends south-east from the bluff into what was then described as an"inaccessible wood".

Dominating the west side of the lake across from the penin-sula was the great fortress of Ticonderoga. Prior to theEuropean presence, Native Americans had long benefitedfrom the rich resources of the Mount. Outcroppings ofblack flint provided raw material for making stone tools,while the natural environment offered ample resources forfood and shelter.

In 1776 the peninsula was recognized by General PhilipSchuyler, then commander at Ticonderoga, and other keymilitary leaders as a strategic position for the Americans tooccupy. The location was considered as a valuable defen-sive position when considered together with the existingfort at Ticonderoga. When the two positions were linkedin a defensive manner, they could block British ships fromadvancing south on the lake toward the Hudson Riverportage routes. The additional position on the east side ofthe Lake could provide protection for those persons livingin the nearby New Hampshire Grants. The promontorywas named Mount Independence by the Americans. Thenatural features made the Mount an excellent location for afortification. On the eastern side of the Mount was EastCreek, the marshes and deep channel of which would even-

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The Journal of Vermont Archaeology

tually become a major obstacle for a rapid encirclement bythe German auxiliaries in July 1777.

The construction of works on and around the promontorywas accomplished under the direction of the Americanengineer Co!. Jeduthan Baldwin. Among the works were:buildings; earthworks; cabins; shops; barracks; lookoutposts; and a mile-long road from the low landing on thenorth to the plateau on the top. In addition, three outerworks were built: a narrow floating bridge which connect-ed the forts and also could serve as a barrier: a chain-and-boom barrier across the Lake north of the forts; and pilingsacross the opening of East Creek which would interferewith the passage of vessels and men up the creek (Furcron1954:230-248; Baldwin 1906:107). Numerous trees werecut from the Mount and the surrounding land below forconstruction and fuel.

A second major engineering task was undertaken by theRebels. They established a connection to outside resourcesby constructing a primitive road from the Mount into theNew England countryside. The road would serve as a routefor supplies and troops from both the New HampshireGrants and regions in the south; the road could also serveas an escape route, if necessary. Lieut. Co!. John Barrett,of the Cumberland County militia and an engineer, wasordered by General Horatio Gates to cut a military roadsoutheasterly. The road was to be constructed along thenarrow neck from the Mount and then south to Hubbardton,Castleton, and on to Center Rutland where eventually itwould join with the existing Crown Point Road (CrownPoint Road Association 1955; Charlton 1931; Churchill1967:8; Wheeler and Wheeler 1968:194-195).

During the winter of 1776-1777 the Americans experi-enced great suffering and loss of life. The Mount wouldbecome a vast cemetery for many hundreds who died fromfreezing, injury, and disease. Throughout the winter andspring the Americans continued work on establishing astrong defensive position in anticipation of a British offen-sive. In the late spring of 1777 General John Burgoyne leftCanada with 3,724 British troops, supported by 3,016 hiredGerman auxiliaries under the leadership of GeneralFriedrich von Riedesel, around 250 Provincials andCanadian volunteers, and 400 Native Americans(Burgoyne 1780: 12).

By July 1, 1777, Burgoyne's army was landing at a pointthree miles north of Ticonderoga. The British disembarkedon the west (New York State) side of the Lake, while theBraunschweig troops and a small contingent of artilleryand infantry from Hesse-Hanau landed on the east

(Vermont) side. By July 2 the Germans had reached EastCreek and were seeking a crossing point upstream for theirmilitary road so as to avoid the marsh and deep channel.On July 3 General Riedesel sent Captain Heinrich Gerlachand a hundred men to reconnoitre the narrow neck of landsouth of the Mount and to find a road by which to attackfrom the rear. Recently Captain Gerlach's report was dis-covered, identified, translated by Lion Miles, and edited byHelga Doblin (Gerlach 1777; Miles 1994; Doblin 1996).Unfortunately, there is no map to accompany his undatedreport.

To General Riedeselin (the) British Camp

Your Excellency,

I am looking over the area as far as I have been able to gettill now. Before daybreak I departed from the front of thebridge with Captain Sherwood and 20 men, and marchedfurther on the road behind the house of Huntor at thewoods to B. From A to B is 45 minutes. From B to C is 1hour 4 minutes. Between Band C we met 4 men who werewalking with guns on the road X and C with muskets, butgoing to Bennington. At Point Q, however, several werestopping whereupon we had to keep ourselves in hidinghere until the guide finally returned through the woodswith me and we chose the area at * for our stay until nightwhen I shall go with the guide and Capt. Sherwood to PointP. Thus I shall see everything tomorrow morning so that Ishall have completed my mission satisfactorily. Up till nowI have found on this tour that the region from A-B. to X isimpracticable for cannons and wagons because of themarshes. The hills could be passable, but the bogs areclosely connected with each other.

I am remain with all respect

Your Excellency'smost submissive servant

H D Gerlach

This is dispathed at 12:30.

On July 5 General Riedesel had his men stationed again onthe Rebel's road along the neck of land south of the Mount,but as evening approached Riedesel withdrew them (Hubbs1978). During the early morning hours of July 6, theAmericans retreated by water south on Lake Champlain toSkeensborough and by land along the Hubbardton-Mount

58

Survey of the Land Approach to Mount Independence

Figure 1. A section ofthe map, PLAN ofCarillon orTiconderoga whichWas quitted by theAmericans on thenight from the 5th tothe 6th of July 1777.Anonymous. Courtesyof the NationalArchives of Canada.

Independence military road. The British took possessionof the forts, leaving the 62nd British Regiment and thePrinz Friedrich Regiment to occupy the forts. The Britishand Germans continued to pursue the retreating Americansby land and water.

Over July and into September the British-German garrison,occupying the Mount and Ticonderoga, made some modi-fications to the former American fortified encampment.By August the 62nd Regiment was replaced by the 53rdRegiment, and Brigadier James Hamilton was replaced byBrigadier Henry Watson Powell. Documents and a map,particularly those of officers of the Prinz FriedrichRegiment, provide helpful accounts of the garrison's dailylife and improvements to the plan (Hille 1993:74-78;verso). The garrison was busy establishing a picket alongthe road on the neck below the Mount, positioning threebatteries, constructing blockhouses on the Mount, andmaintaining gunboats in East Creek and on the Lake side ata bay by the Rebel road. The plan (Figure 1), drawn dur-ing the British occupation in July 1777, provides locationsand descriptions of features on the landscape below theMount, among them (t) the picket of 32 men on a breast

work of wood and stone and an abatis, and (u) the road toHubbardton with a little bridge and the abatis.

On September 18, 1777, the Americans under Colonel JohnBrown and Colonel Thomas Johnson made an attempt torecapture the Mount and Ticonderoga. When Johnson'stroops were engaged in probing the Mount's defenses, theywere met with constant fire from the defenders on theMount and from the British gunboats. A successfuldefense by the Prinz Friedrich Regiment resulted in theAmericans withdrawing. Four officers of the PrinzFriedrich Regiment, Lieut. August Du Roi the Elder, Lieut.Christian Schroeder, Ensign Julius van Hille and MajorFriedrich von Hille, provide descriptions of the Rebelattack (Epping 1911:102-103; Schroeder, in Kingsley n.d.;Hille 1993:78-81, 90-94). In early November 1777, how-ever, the garrison at the forts began withdrawing to Canadaafter receiving news of Burgoyne's surrender on October17,1777 (Hille 1993:74-89).

Over the last two centuries the landscape of the southernapproach to the Mount has been modified by settlement.Orwell was chartered in 1763, first surveyed in 1783, and

59


again in 1799, but it did not show the Rebel military road.

The fertile land on the neck supported an agricultural econ-omy, based on grains, and later cattle, sheep, and cows inthe 20th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries waterfrom the Lemon Fair and East Creeks provided limitedpower to support some multi-purpose mills. By the mid-19th century some farmsteads, a school, a network ofroads, and a small settlement at Chipman's Point wereestablished on the lakeshore of the peninsula, south of theMount (Beers 1871; Bottum 1881; Smith 1886).

Past Research on the Mountand Its Approach

Investigations of military activity at and around MountIndependence for the period 1776-1777 have involvedthree areas of study:

1. The Fortification on Mount Independence. Two pro-fessional archaeological land projects have been conductedon Mount Independence: (1) A 1960s survey was conduct-ed to locate archaeological sites for the MountIndependence Associates, and (2) During 1989-1992 aseries of field schools were held under the direction of Dr.David Starbuck and sponsored by the Vermont Division forHistoric Preservation, the Fort Ticonderoga Association,the Town of Orwell, the University of Vermont (1989,1990), and Castleton State College (1992). The excava-tions focused on selected areas of the fortification(Starbuck and Murphy 1994; Howe, Robbins, and Murphy1994).

2. The Hubbardton-Mount Independence Road. Amajor systematic study was undertaken from 1946 to 1960by a group of dedicated Vermonters under the leadership ofJoseph and Mabel Wheeler to document and map the routeof the Rebel's military road from the Mount (1959a,b,1968). The Wheeler project generated public awareness ofthe historic road in a series of newspaper articles and pro-fessional journals. One of the outcomes of the study was aseries of maps which reflect their findings on the route toRutland Falls where the road eventually joined with theCrown Point Road. One of their maps is that of the firstsection of the Rebel's military road which extends fromMount Independence in Orwell (1959:202; 1968:202). Aseries of stone markers were placed south along the routeby the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) toacknowledge the American achievement made in 1776.

3. Maritime Study. The Lake Champlain MaritimeMuseum, under the direction of Arthur Cohn, conducted asurvey in Lake Champlain between Larrabee's Point andChipman's Point. This project was initiated in 1992 incooperation with Middlebury College, the Institute ofNautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, the FortTiconderoga Museum, and the Vermont Division forHistoric Preservation. The research team located, identi-fied and plotted cultural resources within the designatedarea. The evidence is now being made available toresearchers for interpreting the events surroundingTiconderoga and Mount Independence (Cohn 1992).

Current Archaeological Research on theLand Approach, 1992-1995:

The German Auxiliaries Project

ContextEighteenth century military documents provide historiansand archaeologists with knowledge of some of the modifi-cations made in the landscape along the narrow landapproach extending from Mount Independence.

The Mount and the land approach were initially occupiedby the Americans (1776-1777) for approximately a year.During the occupation the Rebels cleared timber from theMount and a portion from the neck. The trees providedtimber for construction and fuel, and enhanced their viewof the approach along the road and the apron of land belowthe Mount on the neck.

The German auxiliaries found the neck as an exposed areathrough which the troops would have to cross and in orderto occupy and encircle the Rebels on the Mount. On July 3some German troops embarked across East Creek and werereconnoitering the approach to the Mount (Gerlach 1777;Hubbs 1978; Riedesel 1969). By July 5 the Germans hadcrossed East Creek again and had blocked the Rebels'escape route along the military road, but they were orderedto withdraw as darkness approached. The German militarysupply road under construction on the eastern side of EastCreek was near completion on the west side. TheAmericans anticipated the road to be cut by July 6, and themain body of Germans would then be occupying the neck(Riedesel 1969; Moore 1867:472).

In the early hours of July 6 the Rebels made a successfulescape. But only two and a half months later, onSeptember 18, the Americans would appear again on theRebel military road at the tree line and challenge theGerman picket (Hille 1993:78).

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Turn-Pike

IIRT. 22.\

I

AddisonJet.

HUBBARDTONrvULITARY~ ROAD~\1776

One Mile .--Figure 2. Military road in Orwell. From Wheeler project, The Hubbardton-Mount Independence 1776 Military Road.Reprinted, courtesy of Vermont History. The map is reprinted in a book (1968) by John and Mabel Wheeler.

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Research QuestionsThe overall objective of the survey was to identify andassess archaeologically sensitive areas along the landapproach to Mount Independence. The investigator soughtto locate and validate the events of 1776-1777, as describedin documents, by archaeological evidence recovered in asurface survey. The investigation pursued four lines ofinquiry:

(1) What evidence exists for the location of the Rebel Road(Hubbardton-Mount Independence 1776 Military Road)?;

(2) What evidence is there along the west shoreline of EastCreek to suggest a disembarking location for Riedesel'sbatteaux and the route taken across the neck?;

(3) What evidence is there below the Mount to suggest atree line, areas of engagement during the September attackby the Americans, and the picket position of the PrinzFriedrich Regiment (on the Rebel Road below the Mount)encountered by Co!. Johnson's men?; and

(4) What evidence is there for the location of the remainingsection of the German military road further southwestacross the neck to the Rebel military road?

Survey AreaThe target region under investigation was the landapproach to the Mount. The narrow neck of land varies inwidth from a half to one mile; it extends southeast from thebase of the Mount to the 300 feet elevation, a distance ofapproximately three miles. The major focus of the surveywas the terrain along the northeast side of the unpaved road(State Aid Highway No.4) and the paved road (Route73A).

The investigator first had to determine what areas along theneck would most likely be archaeologically sensitive toaddress the research questions. Some fields were notincluded in the survey, either because the crop land was inan advanced stage, or a location had excessively steepslopes and/or dense vegetation. The land under study bythe end of 1995 consisted of three geographical areas,Areas I, II, and III, which appear in Figure 3.

MethodologyThe survey involved two phases of study. Phase I,Information Gathering, involved acquiring data from inter-views with property owners, collectors, and from docu-ments (archival materials, maps, texts, and records). PhaseII, Field Work, was concerned with retrieving archaeolog-

ical evidence and mapping their locations by using coordi-nates from a field datum. Gridding and mapping of specif-ic fields were accomplished using a compass, tape, andpacing.

Reconnaissance and metal sensing were used to recoverartifacts and to identify surface features. Controlled col-lecting was found to be a useful technique for determiningboundaries, densities of artifacts, and patterns of distribu-tion. Plowing effects, ground conditions, artifact size, col-lection unit size, collector biases, and prior collecting areamong some of the variables that influenced the interpreta-tion. An interval of twelve feet was used. The survey wasrestricted to artifacts that were present within the plow-zone. The evidence was collected, inventoried, and inter-preted within a specific field and area. Attention was givento location, extent of distribution, type of artifacts, and den-sity.

Large areas of land were subdivided into manageable-sizedroads, or gullies. Each field or subdivision was given a des-ignation for record keeping. As with any study, conditionsof weather and property were not always optima!. Recentlycut or plowed fields were used for the survey. In somecases fields had to be scheduled and rescheduled, some-times over years, before they were examined.

The major focus of the survey was physical evidence asso-ciated with 1776-1777. Prehistoric and later period artifactswere noted for the record and considered when interpretingthe evidence.

Findings and Discussion

Prehistoric Period ComponentThe fields along the approach are a favorite location forIndian relic collectors. Area farmers indicated that artifactshave been found scattered along the neck and have beenplentiful. One former resident interviewed has an exten-sive and representational collection. His collectionincludes projectiles from the Middle Archaic periodthrough the Late Woodland period. The survey revealedchert artifacts at one location, a quarter of a mile from theMount, all of which are from the Late Woodland Period.The artifacts include four projectiles (two Levanna, oneincomplete, and one Madison) and two chert knives. Somechert flakes but no fire-cracked rocks were noted in thefield.

Historic Period ComponentNumerous changes have occurred on the landscape overthe past two centuries. There has been regrowth of vegeta-

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Figure 3. Locations of the three areas studied.

63


MNN

AB

c SCALE

o ~oo 800 16001200

feet

Figure 4. Subdivisions of properties in northern section of Area I. Courtesy of Orwell Town Office. Property bound-aries established by Tinker Survey, 1990.

tion and modification of the terrain by erosion, farmingpractices, and the construction of roads, farms, and homes.Archaeological techniques employed during the survey diduncover some evidence which has permitted an interpreta-tion of the 18th century landscape.

Archaeological EvidenceThe findings from the survey were examined and analyzedfor patterns in relation to the documentary record. Theresults have been grouped, presented, and discussed as fea-tures. Density of artifacts was found to be low, for reasonsof the short duration of occupancy and the limitations ofthe recovery methodology previously stated. Distribution,location, and type were most helpful for interpreting the

evidence. Several features were found on the low landsoutheast and below the Mount in Area I. The interpreta-tion and speculations about the significance of the archae-ological and documentary evidence from the survey shouldbe considered as tentative. With subsequent and differentlevels of documentary and archaeological research, a betterunderstanding of the historical events may emerge.Features located in the northern section of Area I are pre-sented in Figure 5; the location of Features 9,10,12 and 13appear in Figure 3 because they are beyond the physicallimits of the northern section of Area I.

One important historic landmark along the entire approachwas the road built by the Americans, the Hubbardton-

64


MNN

SCALE

- ~IO;.:::0=::::i=::a===41:00==8:l100==:::l11Ii:nn=::::::I1 !JOOL- r

feet

Figure 5. Location offeatures in northern section of Area 1.

Mount Independence 1776 Military Road. The historicvalue of the southern land approach to the Mount was rec-ognized by the work of John and Mabel Wheeler whoinvestigated the Rebel's Military Road. The Wheelers'effort mobilized many Vermonters over several years.Information was gathered from documents, people, andfield investigations. These investigations produced aninterpretative route of the road. The Wheelers recognizedthat archaeological evidence is finite; much of the evidenceof the past would be lost in time. However, the importanceof documenting the historic route was of paramount impor-tance,

The Wheelers determined that the Rebel road along the

neck was situated along the northeast side of the presentState Aid Highway No.4 and Route 73A (Figure 2). Thisstudy revealed no residual evidence along the believedroute on the land approach. The Wheelers determined theroute of the road mainly through the use of early maps,interviews, and documents.

Area IThe first subdivision is an area situated immediately belowthe Mount. Area I extends approximately 3,000 feet south-easterly along the present road, and involves a mile alongthe East Creek shoreline and a mile across the neck. Thearea is the largest of the three areas and contains all the thir-teen features.

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Feature 1. Rebel Military RoadA wrought iron bolt and an 18th century flattened lead uni-form weight were found in Field 1A. Their presence maybe associated with the use of the road to Hubbardton. Theycould suggest the general location of the Rebel militaryroad as it bends and exits from the Mount onto the flatapron below (Figure 2).

Feature 2. Early RoadwayReconnaissance along the southeastern border of the for-mer Robie Farm revealed physical evidence of a slightlybending primitive roadway extending part way across theapron for a distance of a quarter of a mile. The roadwaywas situated 1,200 to 1,600 feet southeast of the Mount.The road is present in Fields Band C, and then continuesnortheast into 7D before disappearing. Seven old oak treesstand in a row adjacent to the early roadway. The other endof the road fades southwest with entry to Field A. The landowner, residing adjacent to the most northern section ofArea I, recalled that many years ago some signs of a road-way extended diagonally across Field A toward his barns.Metal sensing along the projected route revealed no metalnor surface evidence. During metal sensing a brass mili-tary strap buckle was discovered in Field C and a grapeshotnearby in Field B, both within the roadbed (Feature 5).Also an early 19th century household assemblage (ceram-ics, glass, brick, stone, and iron) was found superimposedand scattered in and around the vicinity of the roadway inField B, adjacent to Field C (Feature 4).

Documents provide limited specific information regardingthe whereabouts of the routes taken by the Germans in andaround East Creek during July 3-6 (Riedesel 1969:112-123). The Wheelers identify a route near the base of theMount which they interpret on a sketch as "Riedesel's roadto cut off retreat". They also state that portions of earlyroadways had been discovered in the vicinity of EastCreek, but unfortunately the Wheelers provide no docu-mentation or sketches showing the locations (Wheeler andWheeler 1968:99,106,204). A map of Orwell does showthe presence of a road being used during the 19th century.The road is situated across the neck south of the Mount atapproximately the same location where military artifactswere discovered. The map shows the road leading to threefarmsteads (Beers 1871).

Feature 3. GrapeshotAdditional grapeshot was located in Field 2A approximate-ly 200 feet north of the property boundary with Field A.The location of this grapeshot may represent another dis-charge or may be part of grapeshot scattered from anotheridentified location.

Feature 4. Domestic AssemblageA concentration of early 19th century artifacts (wroughtand cut nails, kettle fragments, glass, pottery) was foundalong the roadway in Fields C and B, but with a concentra-tion just adjacent to the southeast of the property line. Theland owner indicated that he had filled in the dry stone cel-lar hole several years ago. The location is identified as"J.B." (John Buttolph) on the Orwell map (Beers 1871).Only a wrought iron door hook was found in Field 1B,approximately 400 feet north from the former "J.B." cellarhole. The Orwell map (Beers 1871) identifies a building atthe location of this single artifact.

Feature 5. GrapeshotSome military and other unidentifiable artifacts were locat-ed when sensing in Fields A, lA, and 2A. The artifactswere distributed in a southwesterly direction, bendingsouthwest 50 to 100 feet from the northwestern border ofField A. The distribution of grapeshot and other iron sug-gests that this evidence may be a continuation of the sameroadway noted in Feature 2 and/or associated with possiblythe 18th century tree line. Another grapeshot was locatedin the roadway in Field B, adjacent to Field C, and in closeproximity to Feature 4.

Feature 6. Burned StructureEvidence of a former structure was uncovered by theunpaved road (State Aid Highway No.4) during a drainageditch excavation along the edge of Field lA. No materialwas collected since permission for the survey had not, asyet, been obtained. However, an extensively burned areawas observed within which were a few brick fragments,charcoal, some large stones, and fragments of late 18th andearly 19th century pottery. Soil from the excavated ditch,along with the artifacts, was used to form a shoulder alongthe ditch, and some was distributed onto the rim of thefield. This was the general location of the Prinz FriedrichRegiment picket (Anonymous map 1777) and a 19th cen-tury structure identified as J. (John) Buttolph (Beers 1871).In 1994 the field was surveyed, and a sizeable piece ofmelted brass was found fifty feet from the site of theburned area.

Feature 7. Melted GlassAn isolated piece of blue-green melted bottle glass waslocated in Field 4D. The glass fragment could be related tothe H. Southwelb farmstead, the farthest north of threefarmsteads along the roadway extending toward East Creek(Beers 1871).

Feature 8. Lead Musket BallA chewed lead musket ball was found in Field 2D near the

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Table 1. Classification of Artifacts by Areas and Property Subdivisions.

CERAMIC METAL LITHIC GLASS BONE STONE TOTAL FEATURE NOS.(PREHISTORIC)

Area I.A 0 12 4* 0 0 0 12 5B 28 16 0 3 0 1 48 2,4,5

C 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 51A 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 1,6

N 28 35 4* 3 0 1 67% 41.79 52.24 0 4.48 0 1.49 100

2A 0 2 2* 0 0 0 2 33A 2 1 0 0 0 0 31B 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 410 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 1120 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 83D 0 0 0 0 0 0 040 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 750 0 0 0 0 0 0 060 0 0 0 0 0 0 070 0 0 0 0 0 0 080 0 0 0 0 0 0 090 0 0 0 0 0 0 0So.F. 5 1 0 0 0 0 6 12Rock 0 0 0 0 0 12 12 9Edge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Bay 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 10Dock 1 9 0 1 0 0 11 13

N 10 15 2* 3 0 12 42% 23.8 40.5 0 7.1 0 28.6 100

Area II.

Waist 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

Area III.

Foot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

* prehistoric, not included in total

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base of the Mount on the east side. No other artifacts werefound in this field.

Feature 9. Rock FormationAttention was given to the shoreline of East Creek in orderto identify evidence of a stone pier for use by theBraumschweig troops when disembarking from batteauxduring early July. The survey revealed a group of twelvemedium to large exposed stones extending into the Creek,a mile southeast of the Mount.

Stones are infrequently seen on the neck, and their presenceis noteworthy. No associated artifacts were found eitheraround the stones or on the terrace above the Creek. Theembankment at this location could be easily negotiated byinfantry. The feature is noted in Figure 3.

Feature 10. Grapeshot and Musket BallResidents who reside in the Bay area have reported findinggrapeshot and musket balls on the shoreline of the Bay andby the ravine over which the small Rebel bridge crossed. Asurvey of the property revealed a 19th century dump areaalong the shoreline which was later confirmed by the resi-dent. No military artifacts were found at either locationduring the survey. This feature is located in Figure 3.

Feature 11. Domestic DebrisFour 19th century artifacts were found scattered in Field1D. The Orwell map identifies this as the location of thefarmstead of RW. Sholes (Beers 1871).

Feature 12. Domestic DebrisFive 19th century artifacts were located in South Field,adjacent to the gully over which Route 73A crosses. TheOrwell map shows this to be the general location of 1.Beckwith (Beers 1871). This feature is located in Figure 3.

Feature 13. Grapeshot and Other Military ArtifactsThe residents at this location report finding grapeshot, astirrup, a portion of a brass casting, one pound shot, glass,pottery, and inletting tools. The evidence of grapeshothere, along the Lake shore, suggests another location wherethe British gunboats engaged the Rebels along the militaryroad. This feature in shown on Figure 3. This site had not,as yet, been surveyed at the time of this report.

The artifacts were classified and quantified for each of thelocations within the areas. The findings are presented inTable 1 in order to show patterns by type, frequency andlocation within and between areas and subdivisions.

Areal

The area emerges to be a historically significant locationalong the approach to the Mount. A total of one hundrednine artifacts were located in Area I, The majority (61.5%,n=67) of artifacts were located on the southern side of theproperty boundary (Fields A, B, C and 1A). The remain-der of the artifacts (38.5 %, n=42) were in fields outside thisarea. Most of the artifacts appeared to be distributed with-in a band 50 to 150 feet wide and at a distance of 1,200 to1,600 feet from the Mount within the band. They represent64.2% (n=70) of all the finds in Area 1. The boundaryemerges to be a historically significant location along theapproach to the Mount.

Area II

This area is located in the middle section of the approach,approximately a mile and half southeast of the Mount, anarea a half mile square, and beginning opposite theLakeview Cemetery Road. Only one unidentified, isolated,small, two-hole, flat iron plate was located at the WaistSite. No surface features were noted.

Area HI

The most southeasterly section of land begins two andthree-quarters of a mile from the Mount, a distance of aquarter of a mile and ending at the rise of the road leadingto the 300 foot elevation. The shoreline of East Creek wasexamined for evidence of a roadway onto the west side ofthe Creek. At the north end of the Foot Site the Creek isshallow and has a shale bottom, a suitable location for can-non and wagons to cross. However, at this location theembankment is very steep. To date the survey has failed toreveal evidence of any roadway or military artifacts in AreaIII. Even areas with potential for recovery of artifactsalong the Creek, the embankment, and on the half-mile-wide terrace leading to the Rebel road, were unproductive.Only a dump of 19th and 20th century farm debris wasfound in a ravine leading to the Creek.

Research question #4 cannot be addressed with the limitedevidence available at this time. Further study of Area IIIwill continue, and the land between Area II and III will beadded to the survey. The entire route of the GermanMilitary Road will be the topic of a future report, and atthat time, the investigator will be better able to address theresults of the survey in and around Area III.

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Conclusions

An objective of historical archaeology is to document therecorded past. The evidence from the archaeological sur-vey of the land approach to Mount Independence hasrevealed the locations from the military encounters of1776-1777 and offered a glimpse into prehistoric activityas well as activity of a 19th and 20th century agriculturaleconomy.

Four major topics emerged from the survey. The evidencehas opened lines of inquiry and speculation. The findingspermit us to look back in time as we enter the 21st centuryand to have a better understanding of those who have madetheir imprint on the ground along this peninsula.

1. Military EngagementGrapeshot was found distributed in Area I in Fields A, 2A,B, the Dock and Bay areas. The first three are located with-in the strip in the northern section of Area I (Figure 4). Thefourth (Feature 13) is directly south and below the Mount.The fifth (Feature 10) location of grapeshot is about 3,400feet southwest of the Mount and along the shoreline of theLake. All of these locations of grapeshot are found in theline of fire shown on John Starke's 1777 map of theSeptember 18, 1777, attack of the Mount (Starke,1964:207). The archaeological evidence strongly supportsthe narratives written by the officers of the Prinz FriedrichRegiment where they describe that the Americans werekept at a distance in the woods by vigilance and cannonad-ing. The grapeshot pattern suggests the location of the treeline.

2. Picket PostThe remains of a burned structure containing stone, con-siderable charcoal, some brick and pottery was identifiedpartially uncovered in the ditch of State Aid Highway No.4 in Field 1A. According to the legend on a British map(Figure 1), a breastwork made of wood and stone waslocated around this same position. The German post wasoccupied by a picket of 32 men and an officer. The evi-dence revealed two structures along the early roadway,both of which are of the early 19th century and associatedwith the John Buttolph. One is identified as Feature 4, andthe other (Feature 6) is in the same general area as the pick-et post. There is insufficient evidence, at this time, todetermine if the debris (Figure 6) represents the formerpicket position or the 19th century J. Buttolph structurebuilt upon the German abatis. This is an archaeologicallysensitive location that needs to be excavated.

3. Early RoadwaysThe location of an early roadway was established along asection of the present southern boundary of the easement.Several military artifacts were found scattered along theroute in Fields A, B, C, and 7D. The evidence suggests thatthis position was relevant in military activities during July1777. However, there is insufficient evidence to establishthat this was a route used by Riedesel's troops during July3-6, 1777; and the presence of a "J. B." cellar hole almostin the pathway strongly suggests that the roadway existedprior to the construction of the early 19th century dwelling.The roadway may have been situated along the edge of thetree line.

A search for evidence of the German military roadwayacross the neck further south in Area III remains inclusive.Further study is needed. Perhaps unsurveyed land will pro-vide clues to the route.

However, there is some evidence in Field 1A of the Rebelroad. No surface features exist of the early roadway, but aflattened lead uniform weight and a wrought iron bolt werefound nearly midway in the field and parallel to the presentunpaved road. The Wheelers suggest that the Rebel mili-tary road was located in this vicinity.

4. Isolated FindsA chewed musket ball and a piece of melted glass werefound in 2D and 4D, respectively. While the ball is relatedto the military activity and the glass remains uncertain, thefinds are isolated and difficult to interpret in the absence ofother data.

Another isolated find was the presence of a rock formationextending into East Creek a mile south from the base of theMount. No other archaeological evidence was found eitheraround the rocks or on the terrace above. Thick deposits ofsediment along the Creek may be hiding artifacts. Thebrief and often vague entries in the German journals do notdescribe the use of a stone pier for disembarking infantry.Perhaps a fallen tree or two may have met their need.Further archaeological study is indicated at this location inorder to determine when it was built and who used it.

Epilogue

An analysis of the archaeological findings from the landapproach revealed that the land nearest the Mount doescontain meaningful data which is important to the under-standing of military events surrounding MountIndependence during 1776-1777. Settlement and agricul-tural activities during the 19th and 20th centuries have not

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removed all the evidence. The findings from this surveywith the contributions from past research previously citedabout the Mount, will likely provide the new Division forHistoric Preservation Interpretative Center on MountIndependence with ample resources for future research andpublic education programs.

The investigation of the events surrounding MountIndependence has only begun. This survey was undertakento address some of the questions about the movements andcontributions made by the German contingent inBurgoyne's 1777 Campaign at Mount Independence andTiconderoga.

The land approach to Mount Independence is a historicallysignificant location. The survey identified several featureswhich provide meaningful evidence for an interpretation ofthe landscape. Interpretative markers along the approachto the Mount would assist visitors to better understand theevents of 1776-1777 on the land approach to the Mount.While the land approach to the Mount still holds manysecrets, they will be revealed by further archaeologicalresearch.

Acknowledgments

No study would ever be completed successfully without theinterest, support, and cooperation of agencies, propertyowners, individuals, and local volunteers. The GermanAuxiliaries Project is being implemented as a collaborativeeffort through Giovanna Peebles, State Archaeologist,assisted by David Skinas and Scott Dillon, VermontDivision for Historic Preservation; and NicholasWestbrook, Director, Fort Ticonderoga. Permission toconduct this survey on property under easement by theNature Conservancy was given by Mark Desmueles andKathy Reilly. Thanks are also extended to those who gavepermission to survey their land on the west side of EastCreek: John Chiamulera, Magliore Audet, Gary Audet,Leandre Audet, Tom Audet, Michael Audet, Peter Audet,John Duffy, Ken and Ben Van Hazinga, and WilliamBertrand. The investigator was most appreciative of vol-unteer services of local residents, John Chiamulera and BillHolensky, and State University of New York at Geneseoanthropology student, John Mazzeo, Jr.

The investigator is especially grateful and appreciative to aspecial volunteer, Craig Hanson. He has served as my fieldwork assistant for many of the years of the survey. Withouthim the success of the survey would not have been possi-ble. He has shown tireless dedication, time, keen interest,and the highest professional standards.

Others the investigator wishes to acknowledge for theirsupport and interest for this regional study are: the USDASoil Conservation Service, Middlebury; Orwell TownOffice; Orwell Library; Stephanie DeChame and J. RobertMaguire, Fort Ticonderoga Trustees; and Marc Bisaillon,National Archives of Canada, Ottawa; and the New YorkState Library, Albany.

References

Anonymous1777 Plan of Carillon or Ticonderoga which was quit-ted by the Americans in the night from the 5th to the 6thof July 1777. Canadian Archives, Ph/1250-Ticonderoga-1777 (Fort Carillon). Original in Archives du Genie,Vincennes, France, Article 15.

Baldwin, Jeduthan1906 The Revolutionary Journal of Co!. JeduthanBaldwin, 1775-1778. Thomas Willams Baldwin, ed.Bangor, ME: Printed for De Burians.

Beers, Frederick1871, 1971 Orwell. Atlas of Addison County, Vermont.Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle.

Bottum, Roswell1881 A History of Orwell from 1763-1851. Rutland,VT: Tuttle and Company, Printing.

Burgoyne, John1780 The State of the Expedition from Canada, asLaid Before the House of Commons by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Verified by Evidence: with aCollection of Authentic Documents, and an Addition ofMany Circumstances Which Were Prevented fromAppearing before the House by the Prorogation ofParliment. Written and Collected by Himself andDedicated to the Officers of the Army He Commanded.Second Edition, London.

Charlton, Mary1931 The Crown Point Road (James Cross Diary).Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society, Vol.2(4):163-193.

Churchill, Mary1967 The Historic Crown Point Road. Rutland DailyHerald, September 20.

Cohn, Arthur1992 Maritime Cultural Resources Survey andManagement Project. Preliminary Report. Basin Harbor,VT: The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

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Crown Point Road Association1965 Historical Markers of the Crown Point Road.Vermont: Crown Point Association, Inc.

Doblin, Helga1996 Captain Gerlach's 1777 field report. Editing.

Furcron, Thomas1954 Mount Independence, 1776. Bulletin of the FortTiconderoga Museum, Vol. 9(4):230-248.

Gerlach, Heindrich1777 Field report to General Riedesel. Undated, ca.June 25-July 5, 1777. Riedesel Papers 237 N 65, f. 100.Microfilm, Library of Congress Collection. Reel 78.Unpublished. Saratoga National Historical Park,Stillwater, N.Y. Lion Miles, trs., and Helga Doblin, ed.

Hille, Julius Friedrich von1993 The American Revolution, Garrison Life inFrench Canada and New York: Journal of the PrinzFriedrich Regiment, 1776-1783. (Helga Doblin, tr., MaryLynn, ed. and intro. Westport, CT: Greenwood PublishingCompany. Microfilm, Saratoga National Historical Park,Stillwater, N.Y., reel 106.

Howe, Dennis E., William Murphy and Marjorie Robbins1994 The Southern Battery at Mount Independence. TheJournal of Vermont Archaeology, Vol. 1:127-140.

Hubbs, Valentine1978 Journal of the Brunswick Corps in AmericaUnder General von Riedesel. In Sources of AmericanIndependence. Selected Manuscripts of the William L.Clements Library. Howard H. Peckman (ed)., pp. 226-285. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kingsley, Ronaldn.d. A German Perspective of the American Attemptto Recapture the British Forts at Ticonderoga and MountIndependence on September 18, 1777. (Trs. HelgaDoblin). Manuscript submitted 1996 to Vermont History.

1987-1996 Transactions of the German AuxiliariesProject. Submitted to the Vermont Division for HistoricPreservation, Montpelier, Vermont, and Fort Ticonderoga,Ticonderoga, New York. Volumes 1-6. Unpublished.

1996 An Archaeological Survey of the Former RobieFarm (VT-AD-881), Orwell Township, Addison County,Vermont: German Auxiliaries Project. Report submittedto the Vermont Nature Conservancy and the VermontDivision for Historic Preservation, Montpelier, Vermont.


Miles, Lion1994 Captain Gerlach's 1777 field report. Translator.

Moore, Frank1867 Diary of the American Revolution: fromNewspapers and Original Documents. I. New York:Charles Schribner.

Riedesel, Friedrich von1969 Memoirs, Letters, and Journals of MajorGeneral Riedesel, 1. trs. William Stone. pp. 112-128.New York: New York Times and Arno Press.

Smith, Henry (ed.)1886 History of the Town of Orwell. History ofAddison County (Chapter 28, pp. 555-576). D. Mason &Co.

Starbuck, David R. and William C. Murphy1994 Archaeology at Mount Independence: AnIntroduction. The Journal of Vermont Archaeology, Vol.1:115-126.

Starke, John1964 Remarks on Affairs at the Portage BetweenTiconderoga and Lake George, and at MountIndependence, in September 1777. Bulletin of the FortTiconderoga Museum, Vol. 11(4):207-210.

Weisener, Christian1777 "Plan of Fort Carillon or Ticonderoga withMount Independent". In Julius Friedrich von Hille, TheAmerican Revolution, Garrison Life in French Canadaand New York: Journal of the Prinz Friedrich Regiment,1776-1783. (Helga Doblin, tr., and Mary Lynn, ed. andintro. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Company.(Heeresarchiv V. Rept. 15A Kap. XXXIV, 139).Microfilm, Saratoga National Historic Park, Stillwater,N.Y., reel 106.

Wheeler, John and Mabel Wheeler1959 The Mount Independence-Hubbardton 1776Military Road. 1. Related Early Roads. Vermont History,Vol. 27(2):88-122.

1959 The Mount Independence-Hubbardton 1776Military Road. 2. Building the Road. Vermont History,Vol. 27(3):194-227.

1968 The Hubbardton-Mount Independence 1776Military Road. Benson, Vermont: Printed for J.L.Wheeler.

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