On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution, on Rattlesnake Hill (otherwise called East Point or by the French Cap du Diamont), across Lake Champlain from Fort Ticonderoga, Col. Arthur St. Clair read the Declaration of Independence to the troops constructing fortifications on the hill under the direction of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin. Beginning the next day and still today in 2026, the site is called Mount Independence. In 1776 there was a dispute as to which state had jurisdiction over the site but it is today Mount Independence, Vermont.

Sources: https://allthingsliberty.com/2016/05/mount-independence-the-most-intact-revolutionary-war-site-in-america/; https://www.wcax.com/2025/07/28/this-day-history-july-28-1776/; Baldwin at 62-63

On this day 250 years ago at Fort George on Lake George, New York, Col. Frederic Guillaume de Woedteke died of an illness — likely smallpox which was epidemic at that point, but many claim alcoholism — and was buried in an unmarked grave at the fort. The 36-year old Woedteke was from Prussia and had been an officer in both the Prussian and French Armies. He came to America to volunteer for the Continental Army and had been commissioned by the Continental Congress only four months earlier.

Sources: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%2228%20July%201776%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=8&sr=; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_William,_Baron_de_Woedtke

On this day 250 years ago at his camp on Long Island (in present-day Brooklyn), New York, Brig. Gen. Nathanael Greene wrote General Washington of his concern that the British may have discovered the American plan to send fire ships into the huge British fleet crowded into New York Harbor:

Col Hands reports that the Enemy continues as they were. they fird several Guns last Night different from any custom that has prevaild amongst them since the Arrival of the fleet, A considerable noise and movement of the Boats was heard, after the Signal Guns; and the hurry and confusion they seemd to be in after the firing discoverd they were Alarm’d, Perhaps they have heard of the fire Ships.

Capt. Talbut of Colo. Hitchcocks Regiment, begs the command of one of these Vessels. he is a daring Spirit and I dont doubt will execute the command agreeable to your Excellencys wishes.

Source: “Brigadier General Nathanael Greene to George Washington, 28 July 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-05-02-0362. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 5, 16 June 1776 – 12 August 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1993, p. 488.]