Colonel Allen’s Account of the Surrender

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. "Capture of Fort Ticonderoga" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. "Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. "Allen at Ticonderoga" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

In his post-war memoir, Colonel Allen described the surrender of British commandant William Delaplace and his garrison at Ticonderoga.

"“I ordered him [Capt. Delaplace] to deliver the fort instantly; he asked me by what authority I demanded it; I answered, “In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.” The authority of the Congress being very little known at that time, he began to speak again; but I interrupted him and, with my drawn sword over his head, again demanded an immediate surrender of the garrison; to which he then complied, and ordered his men to be forthwith paraded without arms, as he had given up the garrison . . . which consisted of the said commander, a Lieut. Feltham, a conductor of artillery, a gunner, two serjeants and fourty-four rank and file; about one hundred pieces of cannon, one 13-inch mortar and a number of swivels.”"

Ethan Allen