Only the ground between the Eastern run and the South River remained open; and this he was informed would be occupied the next day, so that the investment would be complete.

The place must be immediately evacuated, or maintained at the hazard of losing the garrison when it should be no longer tenable.
Between these cruel alternations, General St.Clair did not hesitate to choose the first; but deeming it prudent to take the advice of a council of war, he convened the general officers, who unanimously advised the immediate evacuation of the fort.
[Sidenote: Evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence.] {July 5.} Preparations for the retreat were instantly commenced.

The invalids, the hospital, and such stores as could be moved in the course of the night, were put on board the batteaux, which proceeded under the guard of Colonel Long, up the South River to Skeensborough; and, before day on the morning of the 6th of July, the main body of the army directed its march to the same place.
In the hope of making considerable progress before his retreat should be discovered, General St.Clair had ordered the troops to observe the most profound silence, and, particularly, to set nothing on fire.
These judicious orders were disobeyed; and, before the rear guard was in motion, the house which had been occupied by General De Fermoy was in flames.

This served as a signal to the besiegers, who immediately entered the works.

The main body of the retreating army was rapidly pursued by Generals Frazer and Reidisel, while General Burgoyne, in person, followed the detachment under Colonel Long.
{July 6.} The bridge, the boom, and those other works, the construction of which had employed the labour of ten months, were cut through by nine in the morning, so as to afford a passage for the Royal George and Inflexible frigates, as well as for the gun boats, which engaged the American galleys, about three in the afternoon, near the falls of Skeensborough.
[Sidenote: The American army evacuate Skeensborough and retire to fort Anne.] In the mean time, three regiments had disembarked at some distance from the fort, with the intention of attacking it by land, and cutting off the retreat of the garrison, as well as that of the detachment in the boats and galleys.