In the lush, mountainous landscape of what is now Vermont, a group of rugged frontiersmen emerged in the 1770s with a name that sounds like a rock band—the Green Mountain Boys. But these men were no musicians; they were fierce, independent-minded settlers who fought to protect their land from New York authorities. At the helm of this unruly gang was Ethan Allen, a man as wild and unpredictable as the terrain he called home.

Ethan Allen: The Fiery Leader

Ethan Allen was born in 1738 in Connecticut, the eldest of eight children. He was intelligent and well-educated, with a keen interest in philosophy and religion. He even aspired to study at Yale, but his plans were derailed when his father died, leaving him to manage the family farm. Though educated, Allen was anything but polished—he was brash, aggressive, and had a knack for making enemies. His defiance of authority eventually led to his exile from Connecticut, and he found a new home in the disputed lands of present-day Vermont.

The Land Dispute that Sparked a Rebellion

During the 18th century, land ownership in the New Hampshire Grants (modern-day Vermont) was a chaotic mess. Both New York and New Hampshire claimed the land, leading to a bureaucratic nightmare for settlers. The problem escalated when King George III ruled in favor of New York, invalidating land titles issued by New Hampshire. This meant that settlers who had already purchased land had to pay again—or face eviction. Ethan Allen and his allies refused to accept this injustice and formed a militia—the Green Mountain Boys—to defend their claims. Their tactics? Burning down houses of New York settlers and intimidating land surveyors into leaving. Though their methods were aggressive, they had one strict rule: no killing. Their goal was clear—drive out New York influence and establish their own rule.

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

As the American Revolution began, the Green Mountain Boys found a greater cause than just land rights—fighting against British rule. In May 1775, Allen and his men set their sights on Fort Ticonderoga, a strategically important British stronghold on Lake Champlain. This was no ordinary raid; it was a daring, stormy, and chaotic mission that nearly ended in disaster.

Allen led a force of about 200 men to the shore of Lake Champlain, intending to cross under cover of darkness. However, delays meant that by the time they were ready to go, there were only two boats available. With no other option, they crammed 83 men—including Allen and a newly arrived officer, Benedict Arnold—into the boats and set off.

As if the overloaded boats weren’t enough of a problem, a sudden storm hit, drenching the men and nearly sinking their vessels. Somehow, they made it across, reaching the fort before dawn. They quickly overpowered the few British guards on duty. Allen famously stormed into the commandant’s quarters and demanded surrender “in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!” The stunned British officer had little choice but to comply. Fort Ticonderoga fell without a single shot being fired.

The Legacy of the Green Mountain Boys

The capture of Fort Ticonderoga provided the Continental Army with much-needed artillery, which was later used to drive the British out of Boston. As for Ethan Allen, he attempted a failed invasion of Canada and was captured by the British, spending several years in captivity. Vermont eventually became an independent republic before joining the United States in 1791.

The Green Mountain Boys’ legacy lives on—not just in history books, but as a symbol of resistance, independence, and the spirit of early America. Today, Vermont’s state flag features a tribute to the Green Mountain Boys, and their name endures in military units and local organizations.

Their story is one of defiance, adventure, and a bit of frontier lawlessness—proof that sometimes, rebellion is just what history needs to turn the tide.