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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC04368 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1777 |
| Title | Francis Lightfoot Lee to Mann Page regarding Fort Ticonderoga |
| Date | 15 July 1777 |
| Author | Lee, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797) |
| Recipient | Page, Mann |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Written by Lee as Virginia delegate to Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence to Page also as a Virginia delegate to Congress. Reports the fall of Fort Ticonderoga. Mentions letters from General Arthur St. Clair updating the evacuation of the fort. Lee says he does not know the reason for St. Clair's withdraw, but it was because Burgoyne's army of 9,000 troops greatly outnumbered St. Clair's army of 2,500. Says Burgoyne is moving down to Albany and that "the whole country [is] in consternation." Claims that the commander of the Northern Department, General Philip Schuyler, is also infected with fear. Says that Burgoyne has threatened "fire & sword, death, desolation and destruction to all who resist," but mercy to those who submit. Describes Burgoyne's hubris as laughable to anyone "with the spirit of a flea." Says that Schuyler is worried about it, but "I think Burgoyne's flighty folly, will lead him to his ruin." Says he will travel too far into the country and overextend himself. Lee's predictions proved prescient when American forces, under General Horatio Gates (who replaced Schuyler), defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga in October 1777. |
| Subjects | Declaration of Independence Signer Congress Continental Congress Revolutionary War Military History Battle Fort Ticonderoga Battle of Fort Ticonderoga Continental Army Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Wartime Pillaging and Destruction Bravery Revolutionary War General |
| People | Lee, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797) Page, Mann (1749-1781) |
| Place written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Government & Politics; The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |