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.
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).
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.
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 to the south. Unlike earlier battles, the
Continental Army troops continued to fight in a disciplined manner despite suffering heavy losses. Further, 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 FootTravels Through the Interior Parts of America 1776-1781 Volumes 1 and 2, Thomas Anburey, Houghton Mifflin Company 1923
*
Booklet-length account (
Middlebury College)
