Battle of Hubbardton

The Battle of Hubbardton was the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Vermont soil and one of the hardest-fought engagements of Burgoyne's campaign. As St. Clair's garrison retreated from Ticonderoga, the rear guard under Colonel Seth Warner made camp at Hubbardton rather than continuing the exhausting march. British General Simon Fraser with about 850 elite troops caught up to them the following morning.

The battle was intense and contested throughout. Warner's men — including Colonel Francis's regiment, who fought exceptionally — initially held Fraser's advance. Francis was killed leading a charge. But when Riedesel arrived with German reinforcements and struck the American left flank, the position became untenable. Warner ordered a retreat and his men dispersed into the Vermont wilderness.

Despite being classified as a British victory, Hubbardton cost Fraser dearly — 50 killed and 140 wounded out of 850 engaged. The determined American resistance slowed Burgoyne's pursuit and gave St. Clair's main force time to escape. Warner's men gradually reassembled over the following weeks. The battle demonstrated the fighting quality of the Vermont and New Hampshire soldiers who would play crucial roles in the battles at Bennington and Saratoga that ultimately destroyed Burgoyne's army.