Crossroads of a Continent Podcast

In this episode, we discuss Benedict Arnold's harrowing march through the wilderness of Maine to Quebec, and the incredible hardships that earned Arnold the nickname of "The Hannibal of North America".  We also discuss the Battle of Quebec and the disappointing result for American forces.  In addition, we will discuss Benjamin Franklin's visit to the Champlain Valley.  Plus, we will discuss the horrific 10 days of misery the Americans faced at Ile aux Noix, a small island in Canada on the Richelieu River just 12 miles north of the border from New York and Vermont, and why it was a "living hell" of sorrow and suffering.Support the show

In this episode, we discuss the all too often overlooked American invasion of Canada, America's very first war of liberation.  We look into the preparations for the invasion, and the emergence of Philip Schuyler and Richard Montgomery.  We also look at Charles Preston's valiant defense of Fort St. Jean lasted 48 days, and in the big picture caused a delay that likely saved Canada.  We also look at Henry Knox's incredible noble train of artillery that helped end the British occupation of Boston.Support the show

This episode delves into America's first large-scale victory, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold.  We discuss Arnold and his up ringing, his heroics and gift of military command, and his fatal character flaws.  Before the capture, a major clash of two gigantic egos threatened to derail the operation.  We also discuss the capture of a supply sloop, the Liberty, and her role as America's First Warship - right here on Lake Champlain!  Support the show

In this episode we discuss in detail the events in the Champlain Valley leading up to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.  We discuss the contested land called "The Grants", present-day Vermont, for which both New York and New Hampshire claimed as their own.  We also discuss the "ejectment trials", and how a man named Philip Skene looked to create a new, 14th colony north of Massachusetts stretching from the Connecticut River to Lake Ontario that was very short-lived.  We also discuss the leadup to a revolution, and the man who settled in St. Albans who took part in the Boston Tea Party.Support the show

In the 6th and final episode of the French and Indian War series, we explore the last stand of New France at Ile aux Noix, where the final significant defense of New France before her demise took place.  Ile aux Noix is an island on the Richelieu River just 12 miles north of the outlet of Lake Champlain.  The episode will also explore the Battle of Point au Fer as well as the Surrender of Montreal.Support the show

In this episode, we discuss the immediate fallout of the failed attempt of the British to take Fort Carillon in 1758, and cover the following year, 1759, which sees Amherst and the British finally take control of Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point.  This episode will also cover the St. Francis Raid by Robert Rogers and the Rangers and discuss the legacy from both the British and Abenaki perspective.Support the show

In this episode we discuss Montcalm's miracle, how the French force of 3,500 defeated a British force of almost 17,000 in the biggest military upset in North American history.  The Battle of Carillon, or Ticonderoga, is one of the most notorious battles of the French and Indian War and made the Marquis de Montcalm a hero, while ruining the reputation of Abercromby.  The Battle of Carillon was the bloodiest battle on American soil prior to the Civil War with almost 3,000 casualties.Support the show

This episode takes a deep dive into the controversial events at Fort William Henry in 1757.  These events were made famous in a historical fiction book and later Hollywood movies "The Last of the Mohicans".  We will look at the complex social and cultural clashes that led to an explosion, figuratively and literally, in one of the most famous engagements of the French and Indian War.Support the show

This episode is part two of a six part series on the French and Indian War in the Champlain Valley.  We will discuss the events of 1756 and the construction of Fort William Henry and Fort Carillon.  We will also discuss the Robert Rogers' First Battle on Snowshoes and the winter-time raid on Fort William Henry.Support the show

This is part one of a six part series covering the French and Indian War in the Champlain Valley.  This episode delves into the Champlain Valley connections to the French players of the war in the Ohio Valley, whose actions were the proverbial spark to the conflict.  We will also cover the Battle of Lake George in 1755 and the role it would play as the first major conflict in the Champlain Valley.Support the show

In this episode we will explore the years of French control in the Champlain Valley, including the Treaty of Utrecht which established Split Rock Point on Lake Champlain as the boundary of New France and New England.  We will also explore Fort St. Frederic, a medieval-looking French fort at Crown Point, as well as the French "habitants" of the Champlain Valley.Support the show

This episode explores the years of French control in the Champlain Valley, including Fort St. Anne on Isle la Motte, and the "forgotten wars" of the Beaver Wars, King Williams War, and Queen Anne's War.Support the show

This is episode one of a two part episode exploring the War of 1812 in the Champlain Valley.  These episodes explore the social tensions created by the trade embargo with Canada, the embarrassing American false starts attempting to capture Montreal, and the signal American victory in the battle that changed the course of the war, the Battle of Plattsburgh. Support the show

This is episode one of a two part episode exploring the War of 1812 in the Champlain Valley.  These episodes explore the social tensions created by the trade embargo with Canada, the embarrassing American false starts attempting to capture Montreal, and the signal American victory in the battle that changed the course of the war, the Battle of Plattsburgh. Support the show

This is part two of a two part episode focusing on Samuel de Champlain, the Father of New France, and his venture across the Atlantic to the Champlain Valley.Support the show

This is part one of a two part episode focusing on Samuel de Champlain, the Father of New France, and his venture across the Atlantic to the Champlain Valley.Support the show

This is the introductory episode of Crossroads of a Continent Podcast.  In this episode, we look at the physical and geographical characteristics of Lake Champlain, in addition to a brief overview of historical events we will cover in more depth in future episodes.  We will also define why we call Lake Champlain the Crossroads of a Continent.Support the show