Like this:

Competition with political and public one-upmanship began in the area of eastern upstate New York almost from its settlement by the first Europeans that arrived here.  From Adriaen Van der Donck struggling with Peter Stuyvesant for control of the future of the colony (see my post on The Island at the Center of the World) to current struggles between benefactors and directors at Ticonderoga, this region has been rife with leadership controversy.

In our country’s revolutionary history, the first leadership argument arrived when Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen vied for control of the force that captured the fort from the British in 1775.  Arnold felt he was given the command of the force, yet, according to some accounts, Ethan Allen laughed in his face, metaphorically if not in actuality.  Both of the strong-willed men were determined to dominate the other, and you wonder if they had the work to be accomplished in mind.  Which was more important to them; the capture of the fort or who got the credit for the capture?

Fast forward two years and we have General John Burgoyne heading an army down the water route from Montreal to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.  The first leadership conflict we here about has to do with the Hessian troops hired by the English crown to support and strengthen the war effort.  General Baum led his troops down to Bennington in the Hampshire Land Grants (Vermont) and faced a colonial force.  The reinforcements sent by Burgoyne were led by Baum’s arch-rival, General Breymann.  Breymann was slow to move, and Baum’s force was destroyed.  Which was more important to them; the security and safety of the troops or who got the glory in battle?

On the other side, Gates was maneuvering around Congress to get the appointment to command the Continental Armies in the Albany area.  The local guy, Schuyler, assumed his reputation would get him the appointment, for he had the respect of the men and had been with them for a while.  DId they want the paycheck or just the title?  Did they honestly feel the other man couldn’y do the job?  Was it practicality or ego?

Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates also ran into each other.  We learned of the argument they had about whether to attack, and Gates, intending an insult and loss of power, gave Arnold command of only himself.  Arnold assumed this gave him unlimited discretion for his actions and then proceeded to go where he wanted and eventually having an important role in the Battles of Saratoga.  Gates further insulted him by not mentioning Arnold’s role in the report Gates sent to Congress.  Was it an omission, or a slap in the face?

The recent strife involves the Mars family, candy tycoons, and the management of the historic site at Fort Ticonderoga.   Forest and Deborah Mars pulled out their funding of the fort in a disagreement with the Executive Director Nicholas Westbrook, though I have been unable to nail down specifics just yet, Mars has stated that although Westbrook was a good historian and curator, the Mars’ felt he was not a good manager.  The Fort has been considering selling art to raise funds to keep functioning.  Is the fate of a major historical restoration merely at the whim of corporate money and the egos of those that control it?

The Ticonderoga/Saratoga area seems to bring to the forefront discussions of leaders in conflict.  My question to my students is this: Does controversy and competition in leadership struggles inspire these people to great things or deter them?

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/08/09/cash_strapped_fort_ticonderoga_weighs_selling_art/

Advertisement