He had built Fort Independence, on the east shore of Lake Champlain, and with a great expenditure of labor had sunk twenty-two piers across the lake and stretched in front of them a boom to protect the two forts.

But he had neglected to defend Sugar Hill in front of Fort Ticonderoga, and commanding the American works.

It took only three or four days for the British to drag cannon to the top, erect a battery and prepare to open fire.

On the 5th of July, St.Clair had to face a bitter necessity.

He abandoned the untenable forts and retired southward to Fort Edward by way of the difficult Green Mountains.