Artillery Pieces in the Breastwork at Ticonderoga (1 Viewer)

[Fraxinus]

At the time of the attack, Montcalm had six cannon positioned at the breastwork.

Fortunately, for those building their own breastwork dioramas, the cannon were in a redoubt on the far far left of the French line where the La Sarre would have been. This redoubt anchored the French left and likely allowed for direct fire to the La Chute River. The 4-gun redoubt anchoring the French right was not completed until after the battle.

As the British did not attempt to turn the French flanks, this portion of the French line may not have even been attacked during the battle. The orientation of the embrassure openings were probably to the south and southwest, not allowing them to fire on the British troops massed to the west. However, it sounds like the redoubt might have been in postion to fire at the British boats loaded with artillery as they passed down the La Chute River to Mount Rattlesnake.

 

[Combat]

At the time of the attack, Montcalm had six cannon positioned at the breastwork.

Fortunately, for those building their own breastwork dioramas, the cannon were in a redoubt on the far far left of the French line where the La Sarre would have been. This redoubt anchored the French left and likely allowed for direct fire to the La Chute River. The 4-gun redoubt anchoring the French right was not completed until after the battle.

As the British did not attempt to turn the French flanks, this portion of the French line may not have even been attacked during the battle. The orientation of the embrassure openings were probably to the south and southwest, not allowing them to fire on the British troops massed to the west. However, it sounds like the redoubt might have been in postion to fire at the British boats loaded with artillery as they passed down the La Chute River to Mount Rattlesnake.

I thought I read somewhere (Osprey?) that the French cannons were not placed in the breastwork during the battle, but only the next day after the attack. The cannons from the fort covered the flanks. That's just my recollection as I don't have the book at the moment.

 

[Fraxinus]

Combat, your memory is not failing.

Osprey (page 56): "There had been no time to build the artillery batteries on either side and install the guns. On the other hand, there could be no doubt that an extraordinary feet had been accomplished in a single day."

Nester (page 139): " Each battalion had roughly a hundred yards of entrenchment to defend. A battery of six cannons in a redoubt anchored the breastwork's left. A four-cannon battery was started on the breastwork's right, but it would not be completed until the day after the battle. The volunteer companies of Bernard and Duprat guarded the low ground between the La Chute River on the left while Captain Raymond's marines and militia stretched along the broader ground sloping gentle down to Lake Champlain (the french right). Those troops guarding the flanks constructed their own breastworks and abatis from felled trees"

Regardless of this apparent difference, it appears no French cannon were used to fire on the British troops during the actual assault on the breastwork itself.