Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery: Ticonderoga to the Siege of Boston

 In December 1775, the Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery started from Fort Ticonderoga headed for Boston, hauling 59 pieces of artillery, crossing the icy Hudson River four times, and traversing over 300 miles on a grueling journey that changed the tide of the American Revolution, freeing Boston from a nearly year-long siege by the British. Fort Ticonderoga will meticulously recreate the first leg of this historic journey, known as one of the most stupendous feats of military logistics.

Now 250 years later, modern-day reenactors will meticulously recreate the first leg of the historic journey that brought Fort Ticonderoga’s artillery to the front lines of the American Revolution and delivered the Continental Army’s first major victory. The team of 60 reenactors will inspect and load 60 tons of replica artillery aboard reproduced colonial-era carts and wagons hauled by horse and oxen teams – marking the beginning of Henry Knox’s 300-mile journey from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.

December 5-7 events for “Noble Train Begins” include:

• December 5 – 2:00 p.m. EXCLUSIVE Premium Ticketed Experience: Join us on the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s arrival at Ticonderoga for a special behind-the-scenes “Ticonderoga’s Treasures” experience. This program explores original archival documents, rare books, prints, and artifacts from 1775 that illuminate Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery. Pre-registration is required, limited tickets available for in-person and on-line.

·         December 6 – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. REAL TIME REVOLUTION® Signature Event: Noble Train Begins: Exactly 250 years later, watch Henry Knox at Fort Ticonderoga selecting through the captured guns of Ticonderoga, Crown Point, St. Jean, and Chambly. Experience the science of artillery as soldiers inspect these big guns before scaling them, dramatically cleaning them with the explosive force of gunpowder. Follow the first leg of the Noble Train of Artillery as Fort Ticonderoga assembles the largest number of period vehicles since 1775, with oxen and horses, to recreate the first leg of Henry Knox’s journey.

• Highlighted Programming Throughout the Day:
• 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Cannon Demonstration – Watch New York soldiers examine the guns of Ticonderoga for fatal faults, before scaling and cleaning them with the explosive force of gunpowder.
• 1:00 p.m.: Cannon, Mortar, & Howitzer? – Explore the three different types of 18th century artillery through premier examples from the Collections of Fort Ticonderoga. See both the “not-so-Knox” cannons and genuine ‘noble train’ artillery pieces, with real stories of the incredible artifacts on display.
• 2:30 p.m.: "From Quebec, if in our hands" -- Henry Knox and Cannon for Boston – Henry Knox famously moved nearly 60 tons of artillery from Ticonderoga to the American Army outside Boston, but where did these cannon come from? Join Fort Ticonderoga Curator Dr. Matthew Keagle as he explains the origins of Knox's "noble train of artillery" from Lake George to Canada.
• 3:00 p.m.: “the work of 43 men for 2 days” – Arming Henry Knox with the cash and credit of the Continental Congress, General Washington dispatched his most able engineer on November 16, 1775. See how Knox managed the operation, worked to account for soldiers’ labor and succeeded in accomplishing the mission.

·         December 7 - 11:00 a.m.: The Noble Train to Lake George – Witness the reenactment of the critical first leg of Henry Knox’s journey. Beginning in the Town of Ticonderoga, join Fort Ticonderoga as we assemble the largest number of period vehicles since December 1775, pulled by oxen and horses. At the corner of modern-day Montcalm Street and Champlain Avenue, ‘noble train’ reenactors will drag cannon to the shore of Lake George, where they were loaded to sail up the lake and onward to the Siege of Boston. Celebrate the beginning of this remarkable achievement, which culminated in the liberation of an American city and inspiring a nation towards independence.