The Battle of Hubbardton

The Battle of Hubbardton: the Rear Guard Action that Saved America Dr. Bruce Venter Part of the July 4 All-American Celebration The battle of Hubbardton was perhaps the loss that saved the war for the patriots. British and German troops ran into stubborn rebel resistance at Hubbardton, Vermont, on July 7, 1777. After easily 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, a tenacious American rear guard of about 1,200 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, if victorious. Burgoyne and his weakened force ultimately surrendered at Saratoga on October 17, 1777, paving the way for a French alliance which ensured American independence. Dr. Bruce M. Venter is president of America's History, LLC, a tour and conference company where he leads Revolutionary War tours. This company is best known for its highly successful annual conference on the American Revolution. Bruce is also 1st vice president of the American Revolution Round Table of Richmond and was 1st vice president of the Goochland County Historical Society. He frequently lectures on the Revolutionary War, including at Fort Ticonderoga's American Revolution Seminar. He is also known for his character portrayals of General John Burgoyne and Charles Earl Cornwallis. His most recent book, The Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America was published in March 2015 by The History Press. Venter has published articles in Patriots of the American Revolution, Blue and Gray, Civil War,Goochland County Historical Society Magazine and the Washington Times. His forthcoming book,Kill Jeff Davis: Union Raid on Richmond will be published by the University of Oklahoma Press in January 2016.