Essential Facts
- General Henry Clinton led an expedition in October 1777 to support General John Burgoyne, who was engaged with American forces near Saratoga, New York.
- Clinton’s troops defeated American forces at Fort Clinton, Fort Montgomery, and Fort Constitution before burning the town of Kingston.
- Despite the victories, Clinton was unable to alter the outcome of the battles near Saratoga, and Burgoyne was forced to surrender on October 17.
Timeline
- October 3, 1777 – General Henry Clinton advanced north with 3,000 troops.
- October 5, 1777 – British forces landed at Verplanck’s Point.
- October 6, 1777 – The British won the Battle of Forts Clinton and Fort Montgomery.
- October 7, 1777 – British forces overran Fort Constitution.
- October 15–16, 1777 – British forces carried out the Burning of Kingston and raided Clermont Manor.
- October 22, 1777 – Clinton ordered his troops to return to New York City.
Significance
Clinton’s Hudson Highlands Expedition is important to American History because it failed to alter the course of the Saratoga Campaign, which ended in defeat for the British. Despite key victories in the Hudson Highlands, General Henry Clinton abandoned the Hudson River Valley, allowing American forces to retain control. Afterward, they started building a fort at West Point.
Overview and History
British General Henry Clinton led an expedition to the Hudson Highlands from October 3–22, 1777, in an effort to support General John Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign. Meanwhile, General William Howe left New York City and sailed south to capture Philadelphia, leaving Clinton in command of British forces in the city. Before he left, Howe sent a letter to Burgoyne (July 17, 1777), informing him Clinton was in command.
- Clinton’s forces included roughly 4,000 Regulars and 3,000 Loyalists.
- Howe’s instructions did not direct Clinton to support Burgoyne explicitly but hinted he should consider attacking American forces.
- On July 30, Howe suggested that Clinton could create a distraction to support Burgoyne’s advance toward Albany, saying, “If you can make any diversion in favor of General Burgoyne’s approaching Albany, I need not point out the utility of such a measure.”
Burgoyne’s Early Success
Burgoyne’s campaign started with the successful Siege of Fort Ticonderoga. American forces withdrew, divided, and retreated toward Skenesborough and Hubbardton. British forces pursued and won the Battle of Skenesborough (July 6), the Battle of Hubbardton (July 7), and the Battle of Fort Anne (July 8).
- While Burgoyne was advancing, Clinton was concerned that General George Washington and his army were preparing to attack New York City.
- By August, Burgoyne seemed confident his campaign would achieve its goal of capturing Albany, taking control of the Hudson River Valley, and isolating New England from the rest of the colonies.
- Clinton remained focused on defending New York City.
Burgoyne’s Trouble Begins
As Burgyone’s forces pushed further into New York, they suffered heavy losses and used up supplies. His advance was also slowed by having to cut a road through the wilderness so his army could pass through. On August 3, Burgoyne received the letter from Howe, informing him he was leaving New York City to attack Philadelphia and leaving Clinton in command.
- Burgoyne had expected to meet Howe in Albany, which would have provided him with desperately needed supplies and provisions.
- Without Howe, Burgoyne was forced to send contingents of troops on foraging missions.
- British forces advanced on Bennington to seize supplies but were engaged by American forces led by John Stark and Seth Warner. The British suffered heavy losses and were defeated at the Battle of Bennington (August 16).
By September, Burgoyne was asking Clinton for support. By this time, Clinton was aware Washington and his army were pursuing Howe to Philadelphia. He was also expecting reinforcements to arrive from overseas.
- On September 12, Clinton wrote a letter to Burgoyne in which he said he could attack Fort Montgomery on the Hudson River, north of Peekskill. He believed this would force the Americans to divert troops to help defend the fort.
- This letter did not reach Burgoyne until September 21, two days after the First Battle of Saratoga (Freeman’s Farm).
- Clinton was forced to delay his attack while he waited for a response from Burgoyne.
Meanwhile, American success at Bennington and the Siege of Fort Stanwix increased enthusiasm for the war effort, and militia forces joined General Horatio Gates and his army. Instead of sending troops to defend the Hudson Highlands, General Washington dispatched troops from the Highlands to join Gates at Bemis Heights, where his main force was located.
- Although the British won the First Battle of Saratoga, the Americans blocked the British advance, forcing them to fortify their positions at Freeman’s Farm, not far from Bemis Heights.
- On September 28, Burgoyne asked Clinton for guidance on whether to advance or retreat.
- Clinton responded that he was not in a position to “give orders to General Burgoyne.”
Putnam’s Command in the Hudson Highlands
Major General Israel Putnam took command of the Hudson River Highlands in May 1777. By the time Clinton started his offensive into the region, Putnam’s strength had been significantly reduced, as many men had been sent to other locations.
- Roughly 1,200 Continental troops were primarily stationed at Fort Independence.
- Around 400 militia were stationed near Peekskill, but 100 of them were unarmed.
- Approximately 600 poorly equipped militia and a few Continentals made up the garrisons at Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery.
Putnam was concerned about the number of militiamen under his command, noting they were “unsafe to trust.”
Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery
These forts were located on the west shore of the Hudson River, roughly four miles northwest of Fort Independence. The two were separated by a deep, 120-foot gorge. The bottom of the gorge was Popolopen Creek.
- Fort Clinton was named after New York Governor George Clinton and commanded by his brother, Brigadier General James Clinton.
- Fort Montgomery was under the command of Colonel John Lamb and still under construction.
- Fort Clinton was smaller but better fortified. The British would need to take it in order to capture and maintain control of Fort Montgomery.
While Popolopen Gorge provided a natural defense, the land leading to the forts was rugged. The Americans also used additional defensive measures:
- A series of obstructions, including Chevaux de Frise (large wooden spikes), were placed in the river below Fort Montgomery.
- A log boom and a large iron chain stretched across the Hudson River to block access.
- A flotilla of American ships was located upriver from the boom, including the frigates Congress and Montgomery.
Clinton’s Highlands Expedition Begins
Around September 24, Clinton received reinforcements from England, increasing his forces to 2,700 British and 4,200 Hessian mercenaries. On October 3, Clinton advanced north with 3,000 troops, who were divided into three divisions.
On the evening of October 5, he landed at Verplanck’s Point, on the east bank of the Hudson River, across from Stony Point. After landing, the British attacked and dispersed a small American outpost.
General Putnam, believing he was Clinton’s target, responded to the movement by retreating into the hills, four miles from Peekskill. Then, he called for reinforcements from the garrisons at Forts Clinton and Montgomery. This weakened both forts, which is what Clinton hoped for. He left 1,000 men at Verplanck’s Point to keep Putnam distracted.
The next morning, October 6, British forces crossed to the west bank of the Hudson River under cover of fog and landed near Stony Point. American scouts near Dunderberg Mountain saw them and sent a message to Governor Clinton at Fort Montgomery.
- The British climbed a steep trail through an 850-foot high pass known as “The Timp.”
- They were guided by a Loyalist named Brom Springster through the pass to Doodletown.
- Around 10:00 a.m., they were engaged by a small American patrol at Doodletown but drove it back and continued the march to the forts.
- Clinton sent a contingent of 900 men to attack Fort Montgomery from the west.
- His main force waited to attack Fort Clinton from the south, allowing time for the flanking column to complete its seven-mile maneuver.
Although General Washington suggested posting troops at The Timp to defend the pass, it was left unguarded. Some of his officers, like Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox, believed the rough terrain and steep climb would keep the British from using it.
American Defenses at Forts Clinton and Montgomery
In March 1777, George Clinton was commissioned as a Brigadier General in the Continental Army and tasked with defending the Hudson Highlands. In June, he was elected the first Governor of New York. Clinton left government meetings, traveled to Fort Montgomery, and took command.
American Delaying Actions
After Governor Clinton was alerted to the British landing at Stony Point, he responded by sending small contingents of men to slow the British advance. This included the small patrol, roughly 30 men, that engaged the British at Doodletown.
50 Continentals under Lieutenant Colonel Jacobus Bruyn and 50 militia under Lieutenant Colonel James McLarey engaged the British but were also pushed back.
Captain John Fenno left Fort Montgomery with 60 men to delay the British column Clinton had sent in that direction. He was reinforced with a gun and 40 men and took a position along the creek about a mile from the fort. He was able to stop the British advance temporarily.
When Fenno’s force was threatened by a British flank attack, the Americans spiked their gun and fell back to another gun that had been sent by Colonel Lamb. The fight continued, and Fenno was captured. The Americans spiked the second fun and fell back to Fort Montgomery.
The Battle of Forts Montgomery and Clinton
By 4:30 p.m., British forces were in a position to attack Fort Montgomery. They demanded the fort’s surrender, which the Americans refused. The British responded by launching their attack.
- Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell led the British advance guard in the opening assault. Campbell was killed in the attack.
- Campbell’s men were outraged as they swept into the fort, where they responded by killing some of the Americans who were surrendering.
- While some Americans were spared, others managed to escape, including Governor Clinton.
British forces commenced a frontal assault on Fort Clinton, even though the approach was over 400 yards of flat ground covered with abatis and open to fire from ten guns. British and Hessian troops advanced through the abatis under heavy fire, eventually breaching Fort Clinton.
- British and German forces suffered around 40 killed and 150 wounded.
- American forces had roughly 300 casualties, with 260 taken prisoner.
- The Americans lost 67 cannons and large stores of supplies.
- They were forced to burn their flotilla of ships, which were unable to escape due to a strong wind coming from the North.
The British advance continued the next day, October 7. They breached the obstacles over the Hudson River, attacked Fort Constitution, and overran the garrison. General Putnam responded by abandoning his position at Fort Independence.
New York’s Royal Governor, William Tryon, suggested Clinton should advance to Albany, where he could join with Burgoyne. However, Clinton refused and decided to return to New York City.
On October 8, Clinton wrote to Burgoyne, expressing hope that his success would be beneficial to Burgoyne’s operations, saying, ‘‘I sincerely hope this little success of ours may facilitate your operations.’’
Burgoyne Retreats to Saratoga
However, Clinton was unaware that Burgoyne had been defeated the day before at Bemis Heights in the Second Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne was forced to withdraw from the battlefield, giving the Continental Army a significant victory.
On October 10, Burgoyne ordered his army to retreat from Bemis Heights, ending his advance into New York. He made his way north to Saratoga, where he was surrounded by General Horatio Gates and his forces.
Realizing he could not continue to fight without reinforcements, Burgoyne chose to surrender. On October 13, he offered to negotiate terms with Gates.
Burning of Kingston
Clinton’s campaign continued, although he became ill and was unable to lead troops. Still unaware of Burgoyne’s situation, he sent General Sir John Vaughan and 1,700 men north toward Albany. They were transported up the Hudson River by a small fleet of ships commanded by Sir James Wallace.
- The fleet navigated through the Chevaux de Frise on October 15 and sailed upriver.
- They anchored near Esopus that night.
- The next day, October 16, they burned Esopus before advancing to Clermont Manor, roughly 45 miles south of Albany.
- They raided Clermont Manor, the homestead of the Livingstons, who were leaders of the Patriot Cause in New York.
Burgoyne’s Surrender
On October 17, Burgoyne officially surrendered his army to Gates. The next day, most of the American troops marched South toward Albany to engage Vaughn’s expedition.
Clinton’s Hudson Highlands Expedition Ends
Meanwhile, General Putnam had received reinforcements, boosting his troop strength to 6,500 men. He placed artillery batteries along the Hudson River, which threatened the ships carrying General Vaughn’s troops.
- Vaughan’s pilots refused to proceed further upriver due to the presence of the batteries.
- Clinton also received orders from Howe, instructing him to send reinforcements to Philadelphia.
- On October 22, Clinton instructed Vaughan to withdraw and return to New York City.
- Clinton then sent reinforcements to Pennsylvania to aid in the capture of Philadelphia.
Aftermath of Clinton’s Expedition
Despite capturing several American forts, Clinton’s Hudson Highlands Expedition did not aid Burgoyne on the battlefield. However, the presence of Vaughn’s troops near Albany may have contributed to the lenient terms of surrender General Gates offered Burgoyne.
General Putnam was court-martialed for retreating from Peekskill and falling for Clinton’s tactics. Although he was cleared of the charges against him, he was never given another field command.
Over the next two months, the British withdrew from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and Lake Champlain and the Hudson River Valley were free of British forces.
American forces started building Fort West Point to secure control over the Hudson River.
