American Revolution: Battle of Hubbardton

The Battle of Hubbardton was fought July 7, 1777, during the American Revolution (1775-1783).

Forces & Commanders

Americans

Advancing down Lake Champlain in the summer of 1777, British and German forces led by Major General John Burgoyne began operations against American-held Fort Ticonderoga. The fort was defended by Major General Arthur St. Clair, whose 3,000-man garrison was outnumbered more than 2-to-1 one by the enemy. On July 1, Burgoyne began landing his men a short distance to the north with the British coming ashore on the western bank, and Major General Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel's Brunswickers on the eastern. While the British advanced against the fort, Riedesel moved toward American positions on Mount Independence.

Surveying the terrain, Burgoyne determined that Mount Defiance, to the southwest, commanded the area around the fort. Believing it too steep to allow the emplacement of artillery, St. Clair had left it undefended. With great effort, British gunners proved the American commander wrong and began hauling guns up the mountain on June 5. Realizing his mistake, St. Clair and his officers decided to abandon the fort that night and retreat south to the Hudson River. Escaping over a floating bridge to Mount Independence, the Americans withdrew along a road running south to Hubbardton and Castleton.

It was St. Clair's goal to reach Castleton before swinging west to Skenesboro at the bottom of Lake Champlain. Marching through the night, the Americans paused at Hubbardton to allow Colonel Ebenezer Francis' 11th Massachusetts Regiment, which was serving as the rearguard to arrive. When Francis was delayed, St. Clair detached Colonel Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys to continue the wait. He augmented Warner's force with Colonel Nathan Hale's 2nd New Hampshire before departing for Castleton with the remainder of the army. When Francis finally arrived, Warner elected to remain at Hubbardton for the night.

Having discovered that St. Clair had departed the fort, Brigadier General Simon Fraser immediately received permission from Burgoyne to pursue the retreating enemy. Marching out with a mix of grenadiers and light infantry, as well as elements of the 24th Foot, Fraser began moving towards Hubbardton. He was reinforced by Riedesel whose command was instructed follow. Linking up around 4:00 PM on July 6, Riedesel elected to make camp as his men were tired and he was awaiting the bulk of his command. Though annoyed, Fraser acquiesced and camped three miles further ahead stating he intended to resume the march at 3:00 AM.

Rising at 3:00 AM, Fraser's advance was slowed by the darkness. He was followed by Riedesel who pushed forward with a small force. Arriving near the enemy camps around 5:00 AM, the British achieved a measure of surprise as the Americans had believed their lead to be greater. Driving in the American pickets, they next pushed back Hale's disorganized men. Quickly forming their regiments, Warner and Francis assumed a strong position between two hills. Protected by the wooded terrain, they offered heavy resistance against Fraser's attacking troops.

Reorganizing, this line was soon reinforced by men from Hale's regiment. With the enemy firing from behind a fence and his men taking increasing losses, Fraser attempted to turn Warner's left flank and cut off the American line of retreat. Outnumbered, this maneuver required him exposing his own left. As the grenadiers began working up the hill on the American left, elements of Francis' and Hale's regiments fell upon the exposed British left. As this assault was gaining ground, Riedesel arrived on the field with a mixed force of jägers and grenadiers.

While the latter moved to support Fraser's left, the former attacked the American center. With both flanks beginning to crumble and under heavy pressure, Warner ordered his men to retreat and scatter. Departing the field, the Americans took to the woods with orders to reunite farther south. The majority of Warner's force rejoined St. Clair near Fort Edward a few days later, though some, including Hale, were captured by Fraser's men in the wake of the fighting. Departing the battlefield, the British and Germans moved to join Burgoyne at Skenesboro.

The Battle of Hubbardton cost Warner and the American rearguard 41 killed, 96 wounded, and 234 captured. British and German losses totaled around 60 killed and 148 wounded. Though a British victory, Hubbardton saw the American rearguard accomplish its mission by successfully allowing St. Clair to retreat. In addition, the heavy losses inflicted on the British and Germans forced Fraser to end the pursuit. Warner would gain a measure of revenge on August 16, when he aided in the American victory at the Battle of Bennington. Pushing south, Burgoyne's campaign ultimately ended with his defeat at the pivotal Battle of Saratoga that fall.

Selected Sources