The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-05-28
TIcoNDERoGA. May 6

IICoNDERoGA, May 8.
While 1 have already furnished the
readers of the Herald with carefully
drawn, and historically accurate pictures
of the stirring scenes and events which
were enacted here during the great strug-
gle for American independence; while
have given a detailed description of
Abercrombie's march from the waters
of Horizon to the banks of Champlain,
his assaults upon the French lines, his
repulse and his retreat, and while have
reviewed for them the history of Fort Ii
oonderoga past, and given almost minute
pen picture of its present appearance
and surroundings, my work, to those
familiar with the ground, would be re-
garded as exceedingly inadequate did I
fail to sketch other scenes of Revolution
airy interest, particularly those belong
ing to Mount Defiance.
This mountain, formerly known as
"Sugaf Loaf" rises to the immense alti-
tnde of 500 feet, and forms bold, pre-
cipitous promontory, where the waters
Of George and Champlain mingle, being
washed by the waves of both. During
the exciting times of which speak, the
Americans placed their greatest reliance
upon their position on Mount Independ-
ence, distant from Ticonderago 1900
yards. But towering far above Mount
Independence was Mount Defiance, and
victory seemed destined to crown the
banners of whichever force first gained
its sublime summit.
History states that at about this time
American affairs were involved in
strange delusions. At all events we
know that Burgoyne, who for some time
past had occupied Crown Point, with
consumate daring and readiness march
ed upon Ticonderoga. By extraordinary
enterprise and zeal he succeeded in sur
rounding the American forces with a
series of military posts and also caused a
careful reconnaissance to be made of
Mount Defiance. The engineers whom
he had sent out reported that, though
the task would be difficult, they felt con-
fident that sufficient artillery could be
dragged to its summit to command alb
solute control of the entire surrounding
country.
THE ASCENT OF MOUNT DEFIANCE.
Ia is said that to horse or carriage
rider Mount Defiance is wholly inacces-
able 1 fully believe it, for even on foot
it was with the utmost labor, and only
after hours of painful clambering, that
your correspondent reached its summit
to-day. The old State road. along which
Burgoyne and his army passed 10 its top
is not only almost abliterated, but grown
over with tree and bramble and briar.
1t took me three hours to gain its high
est peak, and often in my ascent de-
SPARED of ever reaching it. Its sides are
formed of ragged rock, deep precipices,
and yawning caves. A huge bowlder
that succeeded in loosening upon the
brink Of a deep declivity, went to the
bottom with crash and roar like that
Of thunder, tearing huge chips from the
giant trees aud cutting stalwart saplings
completely asunder from their roots.
The underbrush was 80 dense and the
path SO difficult that I was forced to
abandon the route Of Brgoyne and seek
the mountains summit by path Of my
wn. In the ascent / was frequently
ompeIled to crawl upon my hands and
nees from one step to another, and to
mp many fssure intervening between
roken and disruptured rocks In my
Journey 1 came across three caves; but
upon endeayoring 70 penetrate them,
found that they were filed with snow
ice, mud and slime.
THE SUMMIT.
At last 1 reached the top. The mag