Hubbardton Report
May 19-20, 2001
Hubbardton, VT
Click on the thumbnails to see photos and descriptions
from Hubbardton.
Hubbardton is in SW Vermont, not far from the New York State border. Only one
battle was fought in Vermont during the American Revolution, and that was in July, 1777.
General Burgoyne had captured Ticonderoga and Mount Independence
and then moved SE into Vermont chasing the retreating Yankee rebels. The rebels
were making their way past Hubbardton when the British caught up with them.
The main body marched through the woods toward Castleton, leaving the rear-guard, under
Colonel Seth Warnerof the brave "Green Mountain Boys," to gather up the stragglers.
While awaiting their arrival, Warner was overtaken by the head of the
pursing forces, early in the morning of July 7th, when a sharp engagement took place.
The Americans were dispersed and fled, but about two hundred of them were made
prisoners. The pursuers lost almost as many killed and wounded, and
gave up the chase. St. Clair, with about two thousand troops, made his way
in safety to Fort Edward. A month later, they met again at Bennington and
Burgoyne was badly defeated. This was the beginning of
the end for Burgoye, culminating in his defeat at Saratoga.
We were there in July for two days for tacticals/public battles. The weather
was gorgeous and the site equally so. Saturday morning early was set aside for
drilling, so we King's Rangers
headed out behind the hill for some maneouvers. After
exploring the area of the battle, and noting the remains of the road cut by
Burgoyne's troops, we heard the Americans drilling in the camp area, just beyond a
hill. We fired our muskets hoping to draw them out but they wouldn't come play with
us. So we went up the back side of the hill and found two units drilling. We
engaged one unit but they quickly retreated; the other unit pretended we weren't there.
How fun is that?? Later, we got our wrist slapped, as apparently we weren't supposed
to do that.
There with us was Capt. Asariah Pritchard (aka Mike Fitzgerald), Sgt. Paul
Stevens, Ed Gagnon, Bob Stone, Jonas Sanchez and Kerry Dunnack, Eric Toriello
and his wife Gina, who was putting on 18thC garb for the first time, plus
a young friend of theirs who was giving reenactment a try. And we were
joined for that day by Rob, Sue, Ali, and
Flint Rowell (normally with the 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers), as
Rob has taken to running out with us now and then when his unit isn't
busy. Paul Stevens was sporting his brand new Sergeant's sash, which he
modeled for us. Also there was Breckenridge's Co., led by Maj. Neil Sorenson.
We had formal battle shortly after noon on Saturday, which began by Breckenridges' and
Pritchard's companies, marching with the Hessions through
the parking lots to get to a field north of the main field, so that we could surprise
the rebels from behind a treeline. Along the way, we captured a rebel who was
just arriving and who was silly enough to call out to us while parking.
We marched through the grass into position, and indeed surprised the rebels.
That was a pretty good little fight, but nothing terribly exciting.
Later that day we had another small battle. This time, we were in the field
with Captain Justus Sherwood's Company of
Peters' Corps of Queen's Loyal Rangers,
who were camping right next to us, giving us an opportunity to
get to know them. (I think we all agreed we would like to field together again, if
the opportunity arises.) This time Jonas had elected
to stay behind and help the ladies cook. Hmmmmm... what kind of Indian warrior is this?
He didn't miss much, though, as the battle was on the same grounds as earlier in the
day. The only difference was that this time, as we lined up for inspection before the
battle, the higher-ups felt compelled to make us stand in the sun while they paraded
the colors twice. Apparently a new team of people wanted to do it, after the old
team had already done it. So we stood and waited...
Saturday evening several of us sat at the top of the hill looking westwerd
toward the Champlain Valley and talked about what life must have been like in
very rural Vermont 224 years ago. That night, we could hear but barely see
fireworks in the distance, postponed from the Independence Day celebrations that
were rained out.
That night, vandals came to American's parking lot and in the morning we
learned that several cars had had windows smashed and some items were stolen,
including at least one musket. Not good!
Sunday's battle seemed to be a lot more interesting. For one thing, we were joined by
Wes Dykeman from Fort Ticonderoga, which was great.
We were on the same field
as the previous tactical and battle. It was very strange though. At some point,
the battle was over as people were dead and the lines were very close,
but then after the dead arose, someone decided to play on and the battle recommenced.
This time, though, I died and managed to watch from a good point on hill. Both
our Indians and several other Rangers died, but a handful were ordered to go
down to the foot of the hill to engage a few rebels. Four rebels against 4
King's Rangers and 4 members of
Frasers' Coy.
of Select Marksmen, and the rebels didn't take a single hit.
They were too close anyway and
had to back up, but it looked kinda silly. I'm not sure who won, after all
was said and done.
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For more information on the actual battle in 1777:
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Sgt. Paul Stevens
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