Archeology in Fort Edward

Edited by David R. Starbuck

127 pages, softcover: $14.95

Reviewed by Tim Todish

In the days before superhighways, natural waterways provided one of the most important avenues for travel. During colonial times the most important route between the English Colonies and the heart of New France was up the Hudson River from New York, across a portage to Lake George, then on to Lake Champlain and Richelieu River to the Saint Lawrence River. During the frequent colonial wars, this route was of great strategic importance, and both sides built a string of forts to defend their interests.

Fort Edward, at the southern end of the crucial portage between the Hudson River and Lake George, was one of the largest and most important of the British posts. The area where the fort was built was traditionally known as "the Great Carrying Place," and it was occupied by Indians for hundreds of years before the coming of the white man. The first English fort on the site, Fort Nicholson, was built by Peter Schuyler in 1709 during Queen Anne's War.

In July 1755, after his crucial victory at the Battle of Lake George, General William Johnson issued orders for the erection of Fort Edward. Originally designed as a supply depot for Fort William Henry, at the southern end of Lake George, Fort Edward soon grew into a massive fortification that housed thousands of regular and provincial soldiers. Two companies of the famous Rogers' Rangers were billeted on an adjacent island in the Hudson River, which became known as "Rogers' Island." The Rangers, kept in service year-round for their scouting and intelligence -gathering abilities, lived in wooden huts. The island also contained a large barracks complex and two military hospitals, one specializing in the care of smallpox patients.

Fort Edward's prime military importance was during the French and Indian War. It saw only limited use during the Revolutionary War and then was pretty much abandoned as a military site. Today, Fort Edward is a small industrial town of about 5,000 people, and only small monuments mark the sites of the old fort and the island encampment.

Archeology at Fort Edward tells the story of Fort Edward and the modern-day archaeological projects in a series of interesting, well-written articles. Editor David Starbuck, of Adirondack Community College, has coordinated the archaeological efforts at both Rogers' Island and the site of Fort Edward for the past several years. He has also helped to produce two episodes for the TV show Archeology on The Learning Channel. The second show dealt specifically with Fort Edward and Rogers' Island.

In addition to his duties as the editor of this book, Dr. Starbuck also has contributed two articles about the archaeological digs in A Brief History of the 18th Century Military Construction at Fort Edward, a book written by Fort Edward resident JoAnne Fuller, who lives right on the site of the old fort. Other equally interesting articles cover such topics as the archaeological investigation of temporary military shelters, the excavation of the smallpox hospital, surveying techniques on Rogers' Island, and 18th century ceramics found on the site.

Please make checks payable to Archeology in Fort Edward. Dr. David R. Starbuck, Adirondack Community College, Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.