The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-06
Battle of HubbardtOn.

The following account Of the movements
of the British and American Armies about
the time of the battle of lIubbardton is
copied from "Steadman's History of the
American War" (English,) published in
London in 1894. Though perhaps not
strictly correct in every particular, it may
he interesting to many in this vicinity.
The Castle Town named is Castlcton, Hub
berton is Hubbariton. and Shccnesborough
is Whitehall
Opposite to Ticonderoga, on the eastern
shore of Lake Champlain, the Americans
had with great industry fortified high hill
called Mt. Independence. On the top of
it which is flat, a fort had been erected,
containing extensive barracks well sup
piled with artillery. The mountain
stretched in a sloping direction into the
water, strongly intrenched to its base, and
well supplied with heavy artillery Mid
way up the mountain another battery was
erected to cover the lower works. With
infinite labor the Americans had united
ny
strong bridge of communications over the
inlet. Twenty-Five sunken piers supported
the bridge at equal distances. Between
the piers floats were placed, fastened to-
gcthcr with chains and ryets and
bound to the sunken piers. On
the Lake Champlain side of the
bridge, boom composed of very large
timber was erected, fastened together by
rivctted bolts aud double chains, made of
iron an inch and half square. This
bridge effectually prevented any attack by
water from the northern side. But TicOn-
peroga, Notwithstanding lis apparent
strength, had one disadvantage to contend
with. To the southwark Of the bridge Of
communications was n hill called Sugar
Hill, which overlooked and commanded
both the works at Ticondcroga and on Mt.
independence. This place the Americans
were unable to fortify on account of the
want of men Gen. St Clair who com
mandcd at TicondcroGa not having above
three thousand men.
The royal army when they left Crown
Point, advanced with the greatest circum-
spcction and prudence on both sides OF the
lake, the feet keeping in the centre till the
army had enclosed the enemy on the land
side, and the fleet had Just arrived out OF
cannon shot of their works. On the APP
proach Of the right wing on the I'd of July,
07,7,) the enemy instantly relinquishcd
and set fire to their works on the side OF
Lake George. Major-Gcneral Philips
therefore Immediately secured the posses
sion of an important place called Mt
Hope, which commanded the cnemy's line
and cut off all communication with Lake
George.
The royal army having arrived at Ticon
deroga proceeded witt great cxpedition.anC
alacrity in constructing works necessary
for the investment of that place. BY th'
9Th of July these works were completed
aud road .made.to. the top of Sugar Hill 70
the construction ola battery there The enc
my, discovering these vigorous operations
lnOuBul proper W HOlu tOuutll Oh MAI, II
which it was resolved to evacuatc Ticon
deroga and Mt. Independence Immediately
In consequence of this determination thci
baggage, provisions and stores were EN-
barked in two hundred batteauX, and dis
patched up the South river TO Skenes
borough. The army took the Castle Tow
road, in order to reach Skeencsborough b,
land. The American general concludes
that his retreat would be made without an.
difficulty, on account Of the obstacle
which the English must necessarily over
come before they could pursue him IN
dawn of the day on the 9th of July dlsco'
cred this un, expected retreat Commodor
, Lutwy,h Immediately began to prepare 10
5 a pursuit by removing an immense work O
4 framed timber sunk in the water, and b
D cutting away the boom that obstructed tn
! passage, and which had cost in the CON
q pletion Of II near twelve months labor A