Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
IN CASE OF WAR.
Champlain Valley The Probable
Scene of Operations.
The Strategic Location Ofthe United
States Army Posts.

ST. ALBANS, VT Dec. 24-In the event of
n war between the United States and Eng
land Northern Vermont would most likely
be "A battle ground for the contending forces
of the two nations. The Champain Valley
has from the earliest days been the scene of
bloody strife between armed men. and on
many occasions the din Of battle has re-
sounded along the shores of this historic
lake. From the time that France and
Great Britain contended for the pos
session Of this region. the Champlain Valley
has be-, a thorOughfare for armies in time
OF war, and for commerce in time Of peace.
1t is the gateway Of the country, and the pas
sage of hostile fleets IN the navigublc waters
of the lake has more than once been opposed
by American forts and ships of the American
navy.
The opening gun of the revolutionary wal
in this section of the country was fired by
Ethan Allen and the "Grr-n Mountain Boys
May 10. l775, when Fort Ticonderoga was
captured. In the war of 1872, the American
fleet under McDOnough, after Il hard fought
battle with the English fleet, won II decisive
victory Off Cumberland Head. Again, in
1887, the Canadian rebellion somewhat dis
turbed the tranquility Of the people living
nca. the Northern border of New En- Land.
During the war for the Union the presence
in Canada Of Southern refugees and Confed-
crate cmisSurics gave + So to much uneasinrss
among the American residents along the front
ier. Ihe threatened incursion of armed
men into the United States was made on Oet.
10. 1864, when the st. Adams raid occu red.
The United States Government, in locating
its military posts along the northern frontier
of the country. wisely selected the Chhmplain
Valley as II point for establishing permanent
reservations for troops. The ruins of French
British and American forts along Lake Cham
plain. ut TiconderoSa, Crown Point Isle La
Motto and Rouses Point are silent but sub
atn tnt flut tIt,,f, Ia 90 th., tt.iL,. liam
of the builders of these massive fort.
resses. The only fortication among
those named now standing is Fort Mont
gomery, at the foot Of Lake Chnmplain.
This fort is unoccupicd, but its grim and
massive walls stand sentinel-like on the
boundary line between Canada and the
United States.
The northern part of the Champlain Va
Icy is a great transportation centre. Within
this territory the Central Vermont, the Bos
ton and Maine, the ID 'lawara and Hudson
and the Adirondack Railroads con-
verge. BY these lines of road troops
and supplies could quickly be brought from
Portland, Boston, New London. New York.
Buffalo and all parts of New England and
New York state. The transportation facilities
of these lines are such that the entire militia
force could be mobilized ut st. Adams or
Plattsburg within "a hours. The Canadian
border is but II miles north of st. Albuns and
Is but 23 miles from PatsburS.
The military post mt the latter place is gar
risoned by regiment of United States
infantry. The government has expended
during the past year, in the enlargement of
this post and in new buildings. nearly half II
million dollars. The establishment of II
military station Cn the Vermont side Of Lake
Champ plain was authorized by Congress in
1892. Plans were made for an eight troop
cavalry post. The necessary land was Sc
an Elcay INN nj ,vnrl. ON th,
ost was begun in 1898.
The new post wns name1 ''Fort Ethan AL
len,' in honor of the hero of Ticonderoga ana
the leader Of the "Grecn Mountain Boys Of
the revolution. Upward of $780, 900 has al
ready been expended upon Fort Ethan Allen.
The garrison consists of four troops of the
Third United States Cavalry, under the COM
mand of Mai. l.. Il. Morris The Third
United States Cavalry is one of the most ia
nous bodies of troops in the regular army.
1t participated in the Mexican war and the
war for the Union and has been engaged in
fighting Indians since the close of the
rebellion. The squadron was sent to Fort
Ethan Allen from Chicago, where it was sta
toned during the labor troubles in 1894. The
troops are G (Bourke). h (Elting), + (Dodd).
and q (flnrdie). They are considered the
finest cavalrymen in the service, being known
rs trough riders
The regulars at Pla,tsburgh aud Essex
junction. in case of war with England
would be made the nucleus on both sides OF
Lake Champlain of armies for the invasion
of Canada. The first town of any consider
able size across the 45th parallel is st. Johns.
1t is place of ., 900 inhabitants, with large
French population. The English government
ut one time maintained q garrison o. 'red
coats there. but the regulars were withdrawn
some years ago. and the old barracks are at
present used for Il military training