Saratoga Campaign > Battle of Hubbardton

Battle of Hubbardton

Background

The Battle of Hubbardton, fought on July 7, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, was a significant engagement in the Saratoga Campaign. This battle took place in Hubbardton, Vermont, and involved American forces retreating from Fort Ticonderoga clashing with British troops pursuing them. Despite being a tactical victory for the British, the battle allowed the main American force to retreat safely and regroup, contributing to the eventual American success in the Saratoga Campaign.

Background:

1. Retreat from Fort Ticonderoga:

   • In early July 1777, British forces under General John Burgoyne launched a major offensive aimed at capturing the strategically vital Fort Ticonderoga. Facing overwhelming odds, the American garrison, commanded by General Arthur St. Clair, decided to evacuate the fort on July 5, 1777.
   • The American forces began a hasty retreat southward toward Hubbardton, Vermont, with the goal of regrouping and avoiding capture by the advancing British.

2. British Pursuit:

   • Burgoyne dispatched a force under Brigadier General Simon Fraser to pursue the retreating Americans. Fraser’s force consisted of approximately 850 troops, including British regulars, German Brunswickers (Hessians) under Major General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, and Loyalists.
   • The British aimed to catch the Americans before they could regroup and reinforce their positions further south.

The Battle:

1. American Forces:

   • The American rear guard, commanded by Colonel Seth Warner and including elements of the Green Mountain Boys, was tasked with covering the retreat. Warner’s force consisted of around 1,200 men, including Continental Army soldiers and militia.
   • Colonels Ebenezer Francis and Nathan Hale also played significant roles in leading the American troops.

2. Initial Engagement:

   • On the morning of July 7, the British vanguard under Fraser caught up with Warner’s rear guard at Hubbardton. The Americans, positioned on high ground, prepared to make a stand to delay the British advance.
   • The battle began with a fierce exchange of musket fire as Fraser’s troops attacked the American positions. Despite being outnumbered, the Americans used the terrain to their advantage, holding their ground against the British assault.

3. British Reinforcements:

   • As the battle raged, General Riedesel’s German Brunswickers arrived to support Fraser’s troops. Riedesel’s arrival with fresh troops and artillery shifted the balance in favor of the British.
   • The combined British and German forces launched a coordinated assault on the American positions, applying pressure on both flanks.

4. American Resistance and Retreat:

   • Despite being outflanked and under heavy fire, the American troops fought valiantly, inflicting significant casualties on the attacking forces. Colonel Francis was killed in the fighting, but Warner and his men continued to resist.
   • Realizing that further resistance would result in encirclement and capture, Warner ordered a tactical retreat. The Americans withdrew in an orderly fashion, moving southward to rejoin the main body of St. Clair’s army.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Casualties:

   • The battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides. The British and their allies suffered around 200 killed or wounded, while American losses were estimated at approximately 300 killed, wounded, or captured.
   • Despite the loss of life, the American rear guard’s determined resistance allowed the main American force to retreat safely and avoid a complete rout.

2. Tactical Victory for the British:

   • The British achieved a tactical victory at Hubbardton, driving the American forces from the field and continuing their pursuit. However, the engagement delayed the British advance, giving the Americans crucial time to regroup and strengthen their positions further south.

3. Strategic Consequences:

   • The Battle of Hubbardton demonstrated the resilience and fighting capability of the American forces, even in the face of superior numbers and firepower. The delay caused by the battle allowed General St. Clair’s army to evade capture and ultimately contributed to the American victory at Saratoga.
   • The battle also highlighted the importance of rear-guard actions and the strategic value of delaying tactics in retreat operations.

Significance:

• Delay and Regrouping: The determined resistance at Hubbardton provided critical time for the American forces to retreat, regroup, and prepare for future engagements. This delay was instrumental in the eventual American success in the Saratoga Campaign.
• Morale and Resolve: The battle demonstrated the American forces’ resolve and ability to inflict significant casualties on the British, boosting Patriot morale and confidence in their ability to resist British advances.
• Strategic Turning Point: Although a tactical victory for the British, the Battle of Hubbardton set the stage for the eventual American victory at Saratoga, which proved to be a turning point in the Revolutionary War by securing French support for the American cause.

The Battle of Hubbardton remains a notable engagement in the American Revolutionary War, illustrating the strategic importance of delaying actions and the resilience of American forces in the face of adversity.

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