Battle of Hubbardton
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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.
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[edit] 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).
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] 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)
