Saratoga Campaign > Battle of Fort Anne

Battle of Fort Anne

Background

The Battle of Fort Anne, fought on July 8, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, was part of the Saratoga Campaign. This engagement took place near present-day Fort Ann, New York, and involved American forces attempting to delay the British advance led by General John Burgoyne. Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, it played a role in the broader strategy of the American forces to harass and slow down Burgoyne's march towards Albany.

Background:

1. Saratoga Campaign:

   • In the summer of 1777, British General John Burgoyne launched an ambitious campaign to advance south from Canada, capture Fort Ticonderoga, and proceed through the Hudson River Valley to Albany. The goal was to divide the American colonies and isolate New England.
   • After capturing Fort Ticonderoga on July 6, Burgoyne's forces moved southward. The American forces, under General Philip Schuyler, were tasked with delaying Burgoyne's advance to allow time for reinforcements and to strengthen defensive positions further south.

2. American Retreat:

   • Following the fall of Fort Ticonderoga, American troops retreated southward. A portion of the American forces, led by Colonel Pierse Long, was ordered to make a stand at Fort Anne to delay the British and cover the retreat of the main American army.

The Battle:

1. American Forces:

   • Colonel Pierse Long commanded approximately 500 Continental Army soldiers and militia, including elements of the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. They were positioned at Fort Anne, a small and partially constructed fortification along Wood Creek.

2. British Forces:

   • The British detachment pursuing the Americans was led by Lieutenant Colonel John Hill and included around 200 British regulars from the 9th Regiment of Foot and about 100 Hessian Jaegers. They were tasked with maintaining pressure on the retreating American forces.

3. Initial Engagement:

   • On the morning of July 8, the British forces attacked the American positions near Fort Anne. The engagement began with skirmishes as the British probed the American defenses along Wood Creek.
   • The Americans, taking advantage of the terrain, used the dense forest and the partially completed fortifications to launch effective counterattacks and ambushes.

4. Fierce Fighting:

   • The battle escalated into intense and chaotic fighting, with both sides engaging in close-quarter combat. The Americans, despite being outnumbered, managed to hold their ground and inflict significant casualties on the British forces.
   • The dense forest and rugged terrain hindered British movements, allowing the Americans to exploit their knowledge of the landscape.

5. British Withdrawal:

   • After several hours of heavy fighting, the British forces, running low on ammunition and facing stiff resistance, decided to withdraw. They retreated to their main camp to regroup and resupply.
   • The Americans, also exhausted and low on supplies, did not pursue the withdrawing British forces.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Casualties:

   • Both sides suffered casualties, with the British losing around 30 men killed and wounded, while American casualties were estimated to be slightly lower.

2. Tactical Outcome:

   • The battle was tactically inconclusive, as neither side achieved a decisive victory. However, the Americans succeeded in their strategic objective of delaying the British advance, buying valuable time for the main American forces to retreat and reorganize further south.

3. Strategic Consequences:

   • The delay caused by the Battle of Fort Anne, along with other skirmishes and logistical challenges, contributed to the slowing of Burgoyne's advance. This delay allowed American forces to prepare more robust defenses and gather reinforcements.
   • The engagement demonstrated the effectiveness of American guerrilla tactics and the ability of smaller, more mobile forces to harass and impede a larger, conventional army.

4. Prelude to Saratoga:

   • The cumulative effect of delays and engagements like the Battle of Fort Anne weakened Burgoyne's forces and stretched their supply lines. This set the stage for the eventual American victory at the Battles of Saratoga in September and October 1777, which was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Significance:

• Delaying Action: The Battle of Fort Anne was a crucial delaying action that contributed to the overall American strategy of attrition against Burgoyne's army, highlighting the importance of smaller engagements in the broader campaign.
• Guerrilla Tactics: The battle showcased the effectiveness of American guerrilla tactics and the use of terrain to offset numerical and logistical disadvantages.
• Boost to Morale: The ability of American forces to stand their ground and inflict casualties on the British helped boost Patriot morale and demonstrated the resilience of the Continental Army.

The Battle of Fort Anne remains a notable example of the tactical engagements that played a significant role in the larger strategic picture of the American Revolutionary War, contributing to the ultimate success of the American forces in the Saratoga Campaign.

Saratoga Campaign Battles

• Battle of Bennington
• Battle of Fort Anne
• Battle of Hubbardton
• Battle of Oriskany
• Battles of Forts Clinton and Montgomery
• Battles of Saratoga
• First Battle of Saratoga
• Second Battle of Saratoga
• Burning of Kingston
• Siege of Fort Ticonderoga

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources