Battle of Hubbardton

The Battle of Hubbardton was an engagement in the Saratoga campaign of the American Revolutionary War. On the morning of July 7, 1777, British forces, under General Simon Fraser, caught up with the American rear guard of the forces withdrawing from Fort Ticonderoga. It was the only battle of the revolution fought on Vermont soil.

Background

Following the evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga, American forces under Major General Arthur St. Clair sought safety with a hurried retreat to the southeast. The American general left a rear guard near the town of Hubbardton, Vermont, with Green Mountain Boys led by Colonel Seth Warner, 11th Massachusetts Regiment under Colonel Ebenezer Francis and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment under Colonel Nathan Hale (along with men from Whitcomb's Rangers).

Attack

The British pursuit was headed by Brigadier Simon Fraser, whose Advance Corps attacked the Americans early on July 7, catching the American forces by surprise. Falling back to a secure position on Monument Hill, the Americans repulsed several vigorous British assaults. The tide of the battle turned when, after more than an hour of battle, Brunswick Grenadiers under the command of Baron von Riedesel arrived. These disciplined forces entered the fray singing hymns to the accompaniment of a military band. Francis fell mortally wounded during this part of the fighting, and the Americans eventually gave way.

Results

The encounter at Hubbardton is regarded as an important American tactical victory because sufficient time was secured to allow St. Clair’s main force to proceed to safety in Castleton, less than ten miles (16 km) to the south. Unlike earlier battles, the Continental Army troops continued to fight in a disciplined manner despite suffering heavy losses. Once they had achieved their aim, the Americans executed a dangerous but successful disengagement from the enemy and retreated to join St. Clair.

The British losses at Hubbardton were sufficient to end thoughts of further pursuit. The force returned to Fort Ticonderoga and linked up with John Burgoyne’s main army.

See also

• 20th Regiment of Foot
• 24th Regiment of Foot
• 29th Regiment of Foot
• 34th Regiment of Foot

References

• Anburey, Thomas. Travels Through the Interior Parts of America 1776-1781 Volumes 1 and 2, Houghton Mifflin Company 1923
• Ketchum, Richard M.; Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War; 1997, Henry Holt & Company, ISBN 0-8050-4681-X; (Paperback ISBN 0-8050-6123-1)

External links

• Middlebury College account
• Hubbardton Battlefield Website

New York in the American Revolutionary War

Pre-war: Sons of Liberty 1775: Capture of Fort Ticonderoga – Invasion of Canada 1776: New York and New Jersey campaign – Battle of Long Island – New York Prison Ships Begin – Landing at Kip's Bay – Battle of Harlem Heights – Great Fire of New York – Execution of Nathan Hale – Battle of Valcour Island – Battle of Pell's Point – Battle of White Plains – Battle of Fort Washington 1777: Meigs Raid – Saratoga campaign – Battle of Ticonderoga – Battle of Hubbardton – Battle of Fort Ann – Battle of Oriskany – Battle of Saratoga – Battle of Freeman's Farm – Battle of Bemis Heights 1778: Setauket Spy Ring Launched – Battle of Cobleskill – West Point established – Cherry Valley massacre 1779: Battle of Stony Point – Sullivan Expedition – Battle of Newtown 1780: First Purple Heart – André Capture Reveals Traitor Benedict Arnold 1781: HMS Culloden Runs Aground at Montauk – Washington Calls Off Invasion of New York to Support Yorktown 1782: Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh – Newburgh letter – 1783: Newburgh conspiracy – British Evacuate New York – Washington's Farewell to His Officers

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