The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-09
PRESERVE HEs RELICS OF GLoRr,
The Neglected Ruins OF Fort George. Fort VIII.
liam Henry. and Tlconderoga.

The Neglected Ruins OF Fort George, Fort Will
liam Henry. and TIconderOgn.
To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sir: 1 address
you for the same reason, doubtless, that hun
dreds Of others give. think l have something
of more than ordinary Importance to bring 10
your attention. l have recently returned from
a long bicycle tour, which included a visit to
the old revolutionary backgrounds in the
upper Hudson and Champlain valleys. Very
proper care and historical recognition in the
way OF monuments and stone markers has been
taken of the Saratoga district. but not SO of
Lake George and Lake Champlain.
Preached the head of Lake George on a damp
Sunday morning, and by tho natural question
ing Of a traveller, learned the whereabouts of
Fort George and Fort William Henry. My sur
prise was indeed great to find that the traces of
William Henry were almost obliterated; that q
part of its walls supported the bowling alley be-
longing to a summer hotel; that the well which
furnished water to the garrison had been filled.
Fort George is scarcely less forgotten, neglected
and obscured. 1t is reached by a little-used
road. and then a path which leads into the deep
woods. The sightseer stumbles over logs and
brush. and by perseverance is able to crawl
through the briars to the walls of the historic
fort. The greater portion has fallen into a heap
which is ovcrgrown with trees, briars and grass.
oiiy q oitioh VI Nv uclnB NlSlDle. Inc
outposts are almost entirely obliterated and tho
stranger without a guide would be almost sure
TO pass the place without seeing 1t.
That same day i stood on the hallowed ground
of old Ticonderoga, and all alone l felt ashamed
for the neglect, the forgetfulness and the boas t.
full patriotism of all Americans. There. before
and about me. was a bit OF ground which, for
half a century, played a more prominent part in
the coming republics history than any other
ike Dill OF ground IN The rnnntry vet which I
am sure, is more neglected. more forgot.
whole United States. Not even IA decent
road makes the spot ACCESSIBLE; you must
or open gates and ~barways through farms. The
fort is In the midst of n pasture: horses and cat
tle wander IN and out among its fallen walls and
defences. Only a small part of the barracks
wall remains standing, and the frost and storm
of q few more years will lower it all to a heap.
begins he has known of Fort George. of Fort
William Henry: and more particularly of Ticon.
great wars for liberty, and In such a manner.
that its present condition seems to cry out
and tho saeriioge Which has as allowed pSs a3r t to fasIIi
into a heap OF dirt and stones.
Near Fort George Is a sign which has become
At Ticonderoga thercis not even this much to
having figured In our national existence. pic.
tureseue.' true, but altogether too ruinous when
WebVop 10 thlhk what VIII DC lcft In a rev years,
and all for the lack OF concerted action. | am
nothing but a plain citizen, with an intense love
OF country, but no influence and no money. and
for those reasons appeal to the influence and
the patriotism of THE sun and Its power TO
grouse public sentiment on such a subject. Is
there not, some historical society or association,
the Legislature. the national Government, which
can De aroused to the task of preserving and
restoring so far as practicable these ruins, which
must be dear to every true Americana
In the name of the great Jehovah and tho
Continental Congress" don't let Fort Ticonde.
roga become nothing but "a namel
B~INGHAMToN, Aug. q. r.. NJ. ADAMS.