| Revision as of 02:21, 4 August 2008 editCanute (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users6,280 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:08, 12 August 2008 edit undo82.28.237.200 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
| ||date=] ] | ||date=] ] | ||
| ||place=] | ||place=] | ||
| ||result= British |
||result= British victory | ||
| ||combatant2={{flagicon|United Kingdom|1606}} ]<br>] ] | ||combatant2={{flagicon|United Kingdom|1606}} ]<br>] ] | ||
| ||combatant1={{flag|United States|1777}} | ||combatant1={{flag|United States|1777}} | ||
Revision as of 18:08, 12 August 2008
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 British and German troops defeated the American rearguard and forced it off of the field, but the action gave sufficient time to allow St Clair's rearguard to escape. 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
Gallery
-
Hubbardton Battlefield visitor center
-
Monument
-
West side of Monument Hill; British forces attacked up (towards the camera) this hill at dawn, 7 July 1777.
-
Sergent Hill, north of Hubbardton Battlefield. First Colonial then British forces made their way along a military road through the gap visible in the center background of the photo during the night of 6-7 July 1777; skirmishes occurred.
References
- The Battle of Hubbardton - July 1777
- Ketchum 1997, p. 188.
- 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)