The Indomitable Ethan Allen Green Mountain Boys: Revolutionaries Who Shaped America's Destiny

When we imagine the American Revolution, names like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson often come to mind. These iconic figures played pivotal roles in securing independence from the British Empire. However, one name often overlooked but equally crucial is Ethan Allen, the fearless leader of the Green Mountain Boys, a militia group hailing from the rugged wilderness of Vermont.

Origins of the Green Mountain Boys

The Green Mountain Boys were born out of a unique combination of circumstances that developed in the late 18th century. Vermont, at the time, was a disputed territory claimed by both New York and New Hampshire. This resulted in significant tension between the residents of Vermont and the neighboring provinces.

Ethan Allen, a charismatic and determined frontiersman, emerged as the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Allen was born in Connecticut in 1738, but it was in the untamed wilderness of Vermont that he would leave his mark on history. The Green Mountain Boys were a heavily armed militia group of settlers and farmers fiercely dedicated to protecting their land and way of life.

Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution

by Christopher S. Wren(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2934 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled

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The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

Perhaps the most famous episode involving Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys was the audacious capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775. The fort, situated strategically on Lake Champlain, was under British control and played a vital role in controlling the region.

With the support of Benedict Arnold, another prominent hero of the Revolution, Ethan Allen and his men managed to surprise the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga in a daring pre-dawn raid. The capture of the fort provided a much-needed morale boost for the American colonies and a significant stockpile of artillery and munitions.

Green Mountain Boys: Defenders of Vermont

The Green Mountain Boys were not solely focused on their military exploits. They were instrumental in Vermont's struggle for independence from both New York and New Hampshire. The ensuing conflicts, known as the "Tooth and Nail Wars," saw Allen and his men engaging in skirmishes and battles on multiple fronts.

Allen's leadership and tactical prowess were a driving force in ensuring Vermont's victory. Eventually, in 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union as the 14th state, thanks in no small part to the relentless efforts of the Green Mountain Boys.

Ethan Allen: A Revolutionary Legacy

Ethan Allen was more than just a military leader. He was also a philosopher, writer, and advocate for individual liberties. In his influential book, "Reason: The Only Oracle of Man," Allen delved into his thoughts on the nature of religion and government, espousing principles that would resonate with future generations of Americans.

Unfortunately, Ethan Allen's life was cut short in 1789. His legacy, however, lived on. The daring exploits of the Green Mountain Boys, led by Allen, not only helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution but also contributed significantly to the formation of the United States of America as we know it today.

The story of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering patriotism. Despite being overshadowed by some of the more prominent figures of the American Revolution, their contributions were critical in securing liberty and independence for the American colonies.

Ethan Allen's leadership and the unwavering spirit of the Green Mountain Boys continue to inspire generations of Americans to fight for their ideals and never back down in the face of adversity. Their legacy serves as a testament to the power of unity and the willingness to stand up against oppression.

Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution

by Christopher S. Wren(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2934 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE

The myth and the reality of Ethan Allen and the much-loved Green Mountain Boys of Vermont—a “surprising and interesting new account…useful, informative reexamination of an often-misunderstood aspect of the American Revolution” (Booklist).

In the “highly recommended” (Library Journal) Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom, Wren overturns the myth of Ethan Allen as a legendary hero of the American Revolution and a patriotic son of Vermont and offers a different portrait of Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. They were ruffians who joined the rush for cheap land on the northern frontier of the colonies in the years before the American Revolution. Allen did not serve in the Continental Army but he raced Benedict Arnold for the famous seizure of Britain’s Fort Ticonderoga. Allen and Arnold loathed each other. General George Washington, leery of Allen, refused to give him troops. In a botched attempt to capture Montreal against specific orders of the commanding American general, Allen was captured in 1775 and shipped to England to be hanged. Freed in 1778, he spent the rest of his time negotiating with the British but failing to bring Vermont back under British rule.

“A worthy addition to the canon of works written about this fractious period in this country’s history” (Addison County Independent),this is a groundbreaking account of an important and little-known front of the Revolutionary War, of George Washington (and his good sense),and of a major American myth. Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom is an “engrossing” (Publishers Weekly) and essential contribution to the history of the American Revolution.