Major Christopher Carleton led an expedition of the British Army’s 29th Regiment of Foot comprising soldiers, Loyalists and Native Americans, to implement “The Great Burning” of Continental forts and patriot homesteads in Washington, Warren and Saratoga Counties during the fall of 1780.
The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is unveiling a new historical marker at the park commemorating Carleton’s Raid of 1780, to which the public is invited.
The new marker will recall the destruction of Fort George on October 11 of that year, when Carleton’s troops killed at least 22 Americans, took approximately 45 prisoners, and then departed the following day for their return to Canada.
The unveiling, and a tour led by historian Pat Niles of sites in Lake George Battlefield Park relating to the raid, will begin at 1 pm on Sunday, October 8th near the park entrance on Fort George Road, in the village of Lake George (across from the Battlefield Park Visitor Center).
The Visitor Center will be open that day, and every weekend day through the end of October, from 10 am until 4 pm.
The ruins of Fort George on the grounds of Lake George Battlefield Park can still be viewed today and will be part of the tour that follows the unveiling ceremony.
Photo of Fort George – Carleton’s Raid of 1780 historical marker provided by Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance.
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