The men had assembled at Hand's Cove…
May 1775 CE
However, boats do not arrive until 1:30 am, and they are inadequate to carry the whole force.
Eighty-three of the Green Mountain Boys make the first crossing with Arnold and Allen, and Douglas goes back for the rest.
As dawn approaches, Allen and Arnold become fearful of losing the element of surprise, so they decide to attack with the men at hand.
The only sentry on duty at the south gate flees his post after his musket misfires, and the Americans rush into the fort.
The Patriots now rouse the small number of sleeping troops at gunpoint, and begin confiscating their weapons.
Allen, Arnold, and a few other men charge up the stairs toward the officers' quarters.
Lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham, assistant to Captain William Delaplace, is awakened by the noise, and calla to wake the captain.
Stalling for time, Feltham demandato know by what authority the fort wis being entered. Allen, who will later claim that he said it to Captain Delaplace, replied, "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"
Delaplace finally emerges from his chambers (fully clothed, not with "his breeches in his hand", as Allen will later say) and surrenders his sword.
Nobody is killed in the assault.
The only injury is to one American, Gideon Warren, who had been slightly injured by a sentry with a bayonet.
Eventually, as many as four hundred men arrive at the fort, which they plunder for liquor and other provisions.
Arnold, whose authority is not recognized by the Green Mountain Boys, is unable to stop the plunder.
Frustrated, he retires to the captain's quarters to await forces that he had recruited, reporting to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress that Allen and his men are "governing by whim and caprice" at the fort, and that the plan to strip the fort and send armaments to Boston is in peril.
When Delaplace protests the seizure of his private liquor stores, Allen issues him a receipt for the stores, which he will later submit to Connecticut for payment.
Arnold's disputes with Allen and his unruly men are severe enough that there are times when some of Allen's men draw weapons.
People
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Thirteen Colonies, The
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Connecticut (English Crown Colony)
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New York, Province of (English Colony)
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New Hampshire, English royal Province of
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Massachusetts, Province of (English Crown Colony)
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Britain, Kingdom of Great
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British people
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Quebec (British Province)
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Green Mountain Boys
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Patriots (American Revolution)
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Loyalists (American Revolution)
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Northern North America
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