Capt. Edward Mott and Capt. Noah Phelps, set out from Hartford, on Saturday, the 29 of April, in order to take possession of the fortress of Ticonderoga, and the dependencies thereunto belonging; they took with them from Connecticut 16 men unarmed, and marched privately through the country till they came to Pittsfield, without discovering their design to any person, till they fell in company with Col. [Ethan] Allen, Col. [James] Easton, and John Brown, Esq; who engaged to join themselves to said Mott and Phelps, and to raise men sufficient to take the place by surprize, if possible. Accordingly the men were raised, and proceeded as directed by said Mott and Phelps, Col. Ethan Allen commanding the soldiery, on Tuesday they surprized and took the fortress, making prisoners the Commandant and his party. On Wednesday morning they possessed themselves of Crown-Point, taking possession of the ordnance stores, consisting of upwards of 200 pieces of cannon, 3 mortars, sundry howitzers, and 50 swivels, &c.

Ethan Allen, fearful of an attempt from Governor [Guy] Carleton to retake the place, has written to the Committee of Albany for a supply of 500 men and provisions; the Committee, however not perceiving themselves competent to determine on a matter of so much importance, requested the advice of our general Committee, who referred them, and immediately dispatched an express, to the [Continental] Congress now sitting at Philadelphia.