The Battle of Hubbardton is thought to be the loss that ultimately saved the Revolutionary War for the patriots. British and German troops ran into stubborn resistance at Hubbardton, Vermont on July 7th, 1777.
After capturing Fort Ticonderoga, Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne pursued a retreating Continental Army under Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. In the fields and hills around Hubbardton, an American rear guard of about 1,200 men derailed the British general’s plan for a quick march to Albany.
The British won a tactical victory, but they suffered precious losses. Patriots, under Col. Seth Warner, left the British and Germans bloodied, although victorious. Burgoyne and his weakened force ultimately surrendered at Saratoga on October 17th, 1777, paving the way for a French alliance which ensured American independence.
The Warren County Historical Society will host a lecture, “The Battle of Hubbardton,” presented by Dr. Bruce Venter on Wednesday, July 20th.
The speaker, historian Dr. Bruce M. Venter, a native of Albany, New York, now lives in Goochland County, Virginia. His book, The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America (History Press, 2015), was recognized as one of the 100 best books on the American Revolution by the editors of The Journal of the American Revolution. He is also the author of Kill Jeff Davis: Union Raid on Richmond in 1864 (University of Oklahoma Press, 2016), president of America’s History, LLC, an historic tours and conference company, and is vice president of the Richmond American Revolution Round Table, the Goochland Historical Society, and the Dr. Joseph Warren Foundation. He holds a B.A. in History from Manhattan College, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University at Albany. His wife, Lynne, works with him at America’s History as vice president and CFO.
This event will begin at 7 pm, and is free and open to the public. The Warren County Historical Society is located at 50 Gurney Lane, Queensbury. For more information, call (518) 743-0734 for more info, or visit their website.
Illustration: Diorama of the Battle of Hubbardton (courtesy of Vermont Division for Historic Preservation).
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