[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST AMERICAN VICTORY OF THE 
                           REVOLUTIONARY WAR

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                          HON. JOHN E. SWEENEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2000

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, two hundred and twenty-five years ago on 
May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys made history when 
they seized the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga, giving the newly 
formed American revolutionary forces their first victory.
  Ethan Allen and his band of Green Mountain Men met up with Benedict 
Arnold, who had orders to capture Fort Ticonderoga. Benedict Arnold had 
the orders, Ethan Allen had the men. Together they set off to capture 
the fort.
  Early on the morning of May 10, after surprising the guards, Ethan 
Allen charged up the steps of the Fort Commander's quarters and was 
challenged by Lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham who asked what orders he acted 
upon. Ethan Allen replied that he acted, ``in the name of the Great 
Jehovah and the Continental Congress.'' Others suggest less noble words 
were used.
  Meanwhile, the rest of Allen's forces stormed into the South Barracks 
and confined the garrison before they could offer resistance. Realizing 
fight was futile, Captain Delaplace came to the door, and gave his 
sword to Allen, surrendering His Majesty's Fort at Ticonderoga, giving 
America its first victory in the Revolutionary War.
  Fortunately, you can still visit Fort Ticonderoga. It is located 
between beautiful Lake George and Lake Champlain, NY and is reachable 
via Amtrak. Perfect for a weekend get-a-way where you can relax and 
learn more about this great nation's history.

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