Battle of Fort Anne (1777): Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign

Battle at a Glance

Historical Background

Burgoyne’s Invasion from Canada

During the summer of 1777, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne advanced south from Canada with an army of British regulars, German auxiliaries, Loyalists, and Indigenous allies. His objective was to gain control of the Lake Champlain–Hudson River corridor and advance toward Albany.

British leaders hoped that control of this corridor would help isolate New England from the other American states.

The Fall of Fort Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga guarded the southern approaches to Lake Champlain. Major General Arthur St. Clair commanded its American garrison.

When Burgoyne’s troops occupied Mount Defiance, the commanding height overlooking the fortifications, St. Clair determined that continued defense endangered his entire command.

The Americans evacuated during the night of July 5–6.

Two American Retreat Routes

The withdrawal divided the American forces. St. Clair’s principal land column marched southeast toward Hubbardton and Castleton.

Other soldiers and military supplies moved south by water toward Skenesborough, now Whitehall, New York.

These separate routes produced different engagements during the British pursuit.

The Fighting at Skenesborough

On July 7, British naval forces pursued American vessels toward Skenesborough.

The Americans lost vessels and military supplies, and surviving troops continued southward toward Fort Anne.

Colonel Pierse Long

Colonel Pierse Long commanded the 1st New Hampshire Regiment. His troops had served in the northern theater and participated in the withdrawal from Ticonderoga.

Long’s command formed an important part of the American force moving toward Fort Anne.

British Pursuit from Skenesborough

Burgoyne sought to maintain pressure on the withdrawing Americans rather than allow them to regroup.

Lieutenant Colonel John Hill led a detachment of the 9th Regiment of Foot toward Fort Anne.

The Arrival of American Reinforcements

Militia reinforcements reached Long’s position near Fort Anne. Their arrival increased American strength and encouraged an attempt to attack the isolated British detachment.

The exact composition and strength of the supporting militia differ among surviving accounts.

Long Takes the Offensive

Rather than wait for Hill’s troops to attack Fort Anne, Long moved against the British advance.

The decision transformed what might have been another defensive retreat into an American counterattack.

The Battle of July 8

American soldiers advanced through the wooded countryside and engaged Hill’s force.

The British detachment resisted fiercely, and the battle became a prolonged contest in difficult terrain.

Commanders & Participating Forces

American Command

Colonel Pierse Long was the principal American battlefield commander. His force included Continental soldiers from New Hampshire and supporting militia.

Colonel Pierse Long

Pierse Long was a New Hampshire officer who commanded the 1st New Hampshire Regiment during the Saratoga Campaign.

At Fort Anne, he demonstrated initiative by attacking a pursuing British detachment rather than simply continuing the retreat.

His troops initially gained the advantage, but the Americans ultimately withdrew without destroying Hill’s force.

The 1st New Hampshire Regiment

The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was a Continental infantry formation that served in the Northern Department.

Its presence at Fort Anne makes the battle particularly important for researchers tracing New Hampshire Continental soldiers during July 1777.

Company-level rolls are needed to establish the service of individual men.

Supporting American Militia

Militia reinforcements increased the American force available to Long.

These soldiers helped create the numerical advantage that made an attack on Hill’s detachment possible.

Researchers should avoid assigning specific militia companies to the battle without contemporary supporting evidence.

Major General Philip Schuyler

Schuyler commanded the Northern Department and directed the wider American effort to delay Burgoyne’s advance.

His responsibilities included organizing reinforcements, protecting Fort Edward, and preserving the American army after Ticonderoga.

British Command

Lieutenant Colonel John Hill

Hill commanded the British detachment pursuing the Americans toward Fort Anne.

His force was relatively small and operated ahead of substantial British support.

During the battle, Hill’s soldiers resisted a larger American force and avoided destruction.

The 9th Regiment of Foot

The 9th Regiment was a British regular infantry regiment serving in Burgoyne’s army.

A detachment of the regiment formed the principal British force at Fort Anne.

The regiment’s participation should not be confused with the movements of every other British unit in the Saratoga Campaign.

Comparing Troop Strength

Hill’s detachment is commonly estimated at approximately 190–200 men.

American estimates vary more widely, ranging from approximately 500 to 1,000 men when reinforcements are included.

These figures should be treated as approximate because sources differ in whether they count men available, present, or directly engaged.

The Importance of Unit Identification

The 1st New Hampshire and the British 9th Regiment are central to reconstructing the engagement.

Other formations should be added to a definitive order of battle only when contemporary records establish their participation.

Battlefield Geography & Terrain

The Fort Anne Corridor

Fort Anne stood along the route connecting Skenesborough with Fort Edward and the upper Hudson Valley.

Control of the corridor mattered because Burgoyne needed a usable land route for his army and supplies after advancing beyond the southern end of Lake Champlain.

The Historic Fort

Fort Anne had been an important military location during earlier colonial conflicts.

By 1777, the site was not a modern, fully developed fortress capable of resisting Burgoyne’s entire army in a prolonged siege.

The July 8 battle was primarily a field engagement in the surrounding countryside, not a major assault against fortress walls.

Wooded Terrain

The region contained extensive forests that restricted visibility and complicated military movement.

Infantry formations could not always maintain the same alignment possible on open European battlefields.

The Military Road

The road between Skenesborough and Fort Anne provided the principal line of movement.

British troops advancing along it were vulnerable to attacks from the surrounding wooded ground.

Forested Hills

Low hills and wooded rises offered opportunities for infantry to occupy defensive positions.

Hill’s troops used the terrain to resist the American attack despite their numerical disadvantage.

Streams and Wet Ground

Streams, marshy areas, and uneven ground complicated marching and transportation.

Such obstacles were particularly troublesome for wagons, artillery, and supply columns.

The American Approach

Long’s troops advanced from the Fort Anne area toward the approaching British detachment.

Wooded ground helped conceal portions of their movement and created opportunities for attacks against the British position.

The British Defensive Position

Hill’s force established a defensive position during the engagement.

The British relied on disciplined musket fire and the protection of the surrounding terrain to resist the American attacks.

The Route Toward Fort Edward

Fort Edward lay farther south along the American line of retreat.

The ability to withdraw toward that position was essential to preserving Long’s troops for the continuing campaign.

The Battlefield Today

The battle is associated with the Fort Ann area of Washington County, New York.

Modern roads and development have altered parts of the eighteenth-century landscape. Historical maps, archaeological studies, and contemporary descriptions are necessary to reconstruct the precise positions of the opposing troops.

Weapons, Equipment & Logistics

American Infantry Weapons

Continental soldiers carried smoothbore muskets of several patterns. Their equipment reflected the uneven supply conditions of the American army in 1777.

Musket volleys were effective at relatively short ranges, especially when directed against concentrated formations.

British Infantry Weapons

The 9th Regiment of Foot carried British military smoothbore muskets and bayonets.

British infantry training emphasized coordinated volleys, disciplined formations, and the use of bayonets in close combat.

The Role of Bayonets

Bayonets gave regular infantry an important capability when defending against or conducting close assaults.

However, dense woods and broken ground could disrupt the formations needed for coordinated bayonet attacks.

Ammunition Supply

Ammunition was a critical factor in the battle.

Some accounts attribute the American withdrawal partly to diminishing ammunition after prolonged fighting.

The precise extent of the shortage should be treated cautiously because surviving narratives differ.

Limited Artillery

Fort Anne was principally an infantry engagement.

The rapid pursuit and forested terrain made the deployment of substantial artillery difficult.

American Supply Difficulties

Long’s troops had recently withdrawn from Ticonderoga and Skenesborough.

The Americans had lost military supplies during the evacuation and British pursuit, limiting their ability to sustain further fighting.

British Supply Difficulties

Hill’s detachment operated ahead of Burgoyne’s principal forces.

Its small size and distance from immediate support made the detachment vulnerable if the Americans could isolate it.

Road Conditions

The roads south of Skenesborough were difficult for a large army with artillery and baggage.

Burgoyne’s advance required road construction, repairs, and the clearing of obstacles.

American Destruction of Infrastructure

American forces obstructed roads, damaged bridges, and used the terrain to slow the British advance.

These measures became increasingly important as Burgoyne moved farther from his supply bases.

The Importance of Transport

The British had used Lake Champlain to move supplies efficiently, but the land route south of Skenesborough presented new challenges.

Transporting food, ammunition, artillery, and baggage through difficult country slowed the army even when British troops won individual engagements.

Intelligence & Operational Planning

Burgoyne’s Pursuit Strategy

After the Americans evacuated Ticonderoga, Burgoyne sought to maintain pressure on the retreating forces.

He hoped to prevent them from reorganizing and establishing new defensive positions farther south.

Hill’s Mission

Lieutenant Colonel Hill advanced toward Fort Anne with a detachment of the 9th Regiment of Foot.

His mission was to maintain contact with the withdrawing Americans and support the British advance.

Long’s Opportunity

Colonel Long recognized that Hill’s detachment was relatively small and operating ahead of substantial support.

With additional American troops available, Long had an opportunity to attack.

American Reinforcements

Militia reinforcements increased Long’s strength.

Their arrival helped make the American counterattack possible.

The Decision to Attack

Long moved against Hill rather than remaining in a passive defensive position at Fort Anne.

The Americans sought to defeat the isolated British detachment before additional troops could arrive.

The Initial Engagement

American troops attacked through wooded terrain along the British line of advance.

Hill’s men resisted and established a defensive position.

British Defensive Resistance

The British maintained their position despite being outnumbered.

Disciplined musket fire and the defensive advantages of the terrain helped prevent the detachment from being overwhelmed.

American Pressure

The Americans continued attacking and gained the advantage during portions of the engagement.

Hill’s force faced the possibility of defeat if the Americans could sustain their pressure.

Reports of British Reinforcements

Some historical accounts describe reports or signals suggesting that additional British troops were approaching.

These reports may have influenced the American decision to withdraw, although the exact sequence and their importance remain debated.

The Ammunition Question

Other accounts emphasize ammunition shortages among the Americans.

The combination of ammunition concerns and uncertainty about British reinforcements helps explain why Long did not continue the attack indefinitely.

American Withdrawal

Long’s force withdrew toward Fort Anne and subsequently continued toward Fort Edward.

The British remained in possession of the immediate field but did not destroy the American command.

The Operational Result

The battle demonstrated the vulnerability of small British detachments advancing through difficult country.

Although Hill’s men survived and the Americans abandoned Fort Anne, the engagement contributed to the broader pattern of resistance delaying Burgoyne’s campaign.

Battle of Fort Anne: Interactive Timeline

Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions

Phase One: British Pursuit from Skenesborough

Hill advanced toward Fort Anne with a relatively small detachment of British regular infantry.

The pursuit was intended to prevent American troops from regrouping after their retreat from Ticonderoga.

Phase Two: Long Concentrates His Troops

American reinforcements increased Long’s strength.

He recognized an opportunity to attack Hill before the British could receive substantial support.

Phase Three: The American Counterattack

Long advanced against the British detachment.

The wooded terrain allowed the Americans to approach and engage Hill’s troops without fighting entirely in open ground.

Phase Four: British Defensive Formation

Hill’s soldiers occupied a defensive position and resisted the attack.

British discipline and the protection offered by the terrain helped compensate for their numerical disadvantage.

Phase Five: American Pressure Increases

The Americans pressed the attack and threatened to overwhelm Hill’s force.

For a period, the British position appeared vulnerable.

Phase Six: The British Hold

The 9th Regiment detachment continued fighting despite casualties.

Its resistance prevented the Americans from achieving a decisive breakthrough.

Phase Seven: American Ammunition Concerns

Prolonged musket fire placed demands on American ammunition supplies.

Several accounts suggest that shortages contributed to Long’s decision to withdraw.

Phase Eight: Uncertainty About Reinforcements

Reports that additional British troops might be approaching further complicated the American commander’s decision.

The exact origin and effect of these reports remain uncertain.

Phase Nine: Long Withdraws

The Americans broke off the attack and withdrew toward Fort Anne.

Hill’s detachment survived, but the British had suffered losses and had been unable to destroy the American force.

Phase Ten: Fort Anne Is Abandoned

Long subsequently withdrew toward Fort Edward.

The British gained possession of the route as Burgoyne’s army continued south.

Conceptual Tactical Diagram

This schematic illustrates the American counterattack against Hill’s detachment and the subsequent withdrawal. It is not a surveyed battlefield map.

Why the Americans Nearly Won

Long possessed superior numbers and attacked a relatively isolated British detachment.

The wooded terrain allowed his troops to pressure Hill’s position from several directions.

Why Hill Survived

Hill’s soldiers maintained their defensive position under considerable pressure.

British discipline, terrain, and the eventual American withdrawal prevented the detachment from being destroyed.

Why the Result Is Difficult to Classify

The British ultimately retained the route after the Americans withdrew, but Long’s troops had conducted an effective attack and escaped with much of their command.

The battle is therefore best understood as a contested tactical engagement followed by a successful British occupation of the area.

The Soldier’s Experience

The Retreat from Ticonderoga

American soldiers arriving near Fort Anne had endured several days of retreat following the evacuation of Ticonderoga.

They had lost supplies, marched over difficult roads, and faced repeated British pursuit.

The Fighting at Skenesborough

Some of Long’s soldiers had experienced the destruction or capture of American vessels and stores at Skenesborough.

The movement toward Fort Anne offered little opportunity for recovery.

Preparing to Counterattack

The arrival of reinforcements gave the Americans an opportunity to fight rather than continue withdrawing.

Soldiers moved into the wooded countryside to confront the British advance.

The Forest Battlefield

Dense woods limited visibility and made it difficult for officers to observe the entire engagement.

Soldiers relied upon shouted commands, nearby officers, and the movement of their immediate companies.

Musket Fire in the Woods

Both armies used smoothbore muskets during the engagement.

Smoke, trees, and uneven ground made it difficult to identify enemy positions beyond the immediate line of fighting.

The British Defensive Stand

Hill’s soldiers faced a larger American force.

Their survival depended upon maintaining discipline and resisting repeated attacks.

American Ammunition Concerns

Prolonged fighting placed demands upon the ammunition carried by American soldiers.

Accounts describing ammunition shortages illustrate the difficulties faced by troops operating during a retreat.

Uncertainty About Reinforcements

Reports that additional British troops were approaching may have influenced the American withdrawal.

For soldiers on the battlefield, such uncertainty made it difficult to determine whether the enemy’s strength was about to increase.

The American Withdrawal

Long’s troops eventually broke off the engagement.

They withdrew toward Fort Anne and subsequently continued south toward Fort Edward.

The British After the Battle

Hill’s men retained their position but had suffered casualties.

The detachment had survived a dangerous engagement against a larger force.

The Human Cost

The battle caused deaths and injuries among both armies.

Wounded soldiers faced difficult treatment and transportation conditions in a sparsely settled region.

Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?

The Battle of Fort Anne is especially important for soldiers associated with Colonel Pierse Long’s 1st New Hampshire Regiment and the British 9th Regiment of Foot. Researchers should distinguish the soldiers who fought on July 8 from those involved in the separate engagements at Ticonderoga, Skenesborough, and Hubbardton.

Principal Formations

The 1st New Hampshire Regiment

Colonel Pierse Long commanded the 1st New Hampshire Regiment.

Its participation makes Fort Anne an important engagement for tracing New Hampshire Continental soldiers.

Researchers should compare company rolls with service dates and contemporary reports of the retreat.

Supporting Militia

American militia reinforced Long’s command and helped make the counterattack possible.

Specific company and officer assignments should be established from state military records rather than inferred from general accounts.

The British 9th Regiment of Foot

Lieutenant Colonel John Hill commanded a detachment of the 9th Regiment.

British muster books and casualty returns are particularly valuable for identifying men who served in the engagement.

British Soldiers Wounded at Fort Anne

British casualty returns may identify officers and enlisted men killed or wounded during the battle.

Researchers should distinguish casualties at Fort Anne from losses suffered elsewhere during Burgoyne’s campaign.

American Soldiers Wounded or Missing

American muster rolls and pension applications may preserve references to injuries or service at Fort Anne.

Men listed as missing after the retreat should not automatically be classified as battlefield casualties.

Revolutionary War Pension Applications

Veterans may refer to the battle using several names, including Fort Anne, Fort Ann, or the retreat from Skenesborough.

Some accounts may describe service under Colonel Long without naming the battle.

Distinguishing Fort Anne from Hubbardton

Hubbardton occurred on July 7 in present-day Vermont.

Fort Anne occurred on July 8 in New York.

The engagements involved different American commands and different British detachments.

Distinguishing Fort Anne from Skenesborough

The fighting at Skenesborough occurred on July 7 during the pursuit of American vessels and supplies.

The Battle of Fort Anne followed the next day along the land route toward Fort Edward.

Common Research Errors

Do not confuse the 1st New Hampshire Regiment with the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment that fought at Hubbardton.

Do not assign every soldier who evacuated Ticonderoga to Fort Anne.

Do not combine the Fort Anne and Skenesborough casualty totals.

Do not assume all British units in Burgoyne’s army participated in Hill’s engagement.

Do not treat every American militia unit in the region as a confirmed participant.

Do not confuse the historic Fort Anne battlefield with a prolonged siege of a major stone fortress.

Do not assume that the American withdrawal meant Long’s force was destroyed.

Battle Outcome & Casualties

The British Retain the Route

Hill’s detachment survived the American counterattack.

After Long withdrew and Fort Anne was abandoned, the British gained possession of the position and continued their advance.

American Tactical Performance

Long’s troops attacked a smaller British force and placed it under serious pressure.

The Americans failed to destroy Hill’s detachment but demonstrated that Burgoyne’s advancing forces remained vulnerable.

British Casualties

British losses are frequently reported as approximately 13 killed and 22 wounded, totaling 35 casualties.

These figures should be checked against contemporary returns when compiling individual soldier records.

American Casualties

American casualty figures are less certain.

Some accounts estimate approximately fifty killed and wounded, but surviving descriptions differ.

The American Withdrawal

Long’s troops withdrew from the battlefield and eventually continued toward Fort Edward.

The retreat preserved the American force for further service.

British Operational Success

The British secured the Fort Anne corridor and maintained the direction of their advance.

However, the battle did not eliminate American resistance or solve Burgoyne’s logistical difficulties.

Interpreting the Result

Fort Anne was not a straightforward battlefield rout.

The Americans gained an advantage during the fighting, while the British ultimately retained the route after the American withdrawal.

Both the immediate tactical action and the subsequent operational outcome are necessary to understand the battle.

Strategic Aftermath

The Americans Withdraw Toward Fort Edward

Long’s troops continued south after abandoning Fort Anne.

The withdrawal helped concentrate surviving American forces along the Hudson Valley defensive line.

Burgoyne’s Army Advances

The British continued south from Skenesborough and Fort Anne.

However, their advance was much slower than the earlier movement along Lake Champlain.

The Problem of Roads

Roads through the region were poorly suited to transporting a large army with artillery, wagons, and baggage.

American forces further complicated the advance by obstructing roads and damaging bridges.

American Delaying Operations

The Americans used terrain and infrastructure destruction to slow the British.

These actions reduced Burgoyne’s ability to move rapidly toward Albany.

British Supply Lines Lengthen

As Burgoyne advanced farther south, the distance between his army and its supply bases increased.

Food, ammunition, horses, and transport became increasingly difficult to obtain.

Schuyler’s Defensive Strategy

Major General Philip Schuyler organized American resistance while withdrawing toward stronger positions.

His efforts included slowing British movement and preserving American forces for later engagements.

The Battle of Bennington

On August 16, American forces defeated a British-led expedition seeking supplies and horses near Bennington.

The defeat weakened Burgoyne’s army and increased its logistical difficulties.

The Battles of Saratoga

Burgoyne eventually encountered a larger American army near Saratoga.

The battles of Freeman’s Farm on September 19 and Bemis Heights on October 7 ended his hopes of breaking through the American defenses.

Burgoyne’s Surrender

On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered his army.

The British victories at Ticonderoga and in subsequent pursuit actions had failed to produce lasting strategic success.

The Historical Importance of Fort Anne

The Battle of Fort Anne demonstrated that the British advance could be challenged even after the fall of Ticonderoga.

Long’s attack exposed the vulnerability of isolated detachments, while Hill’s resistance demonstrated the effectiveness of disciplined regular infantry.

The engagement also illustrates how battlefield success and strategic progress were not necessarily the same. Burgoyne continued advancing, but the campaign was becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

Primary Sources & Historical Research

The Battle of Fort Anne is documented through American and British military correspondence, campaign narratives, regimental records, and later historical studies. Important research questions include the exact size of Long’s command, the identity of supporting militia units, the sequence of the American attacks, and the reasons for the American withdrawal.

Primary Sources

1. Philip Schuyler’s correspondence, July 1777. Evidence concerning American operations after the evacuation of Ticonderoga.
2. John Burgoyne’s campaign reports and correspondence. British perspective on the advance through Skenesborough and Fort Anne.
3. Lieutenant Colonel John Hill’s reports. Relevant to the actions of the 9th Regiment detachment.
4. Pierse Long’s correspondence and regimental records. Relevant to the American counterattack.
5. 1st New Hampshire Regiment muster rolls. Evidence for the service of individual American soldiers.
6. 9th Regiment of Foot muster books and casualty returns. Evidence concerning British participants and losses.
7. American militia returns. Potential evidence for the supporting troops who joined Long.
8. Revolutionary War pension applications. Later testimony describing service at Fort Anne or during the retreat from Skenesborough.

Historical Studies

1. John F. Luzader, Saratoga: A Military History of the Decisive Campaign of the American Revolution. Detailed military study of Burgoyne’s campaign.
2. Richard M. Ketchum, Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War. Narrative history of the northern campaign.
3. Brendan Morrissey, Saratoga 1777: Turning Point of a Revolution. Military analysis of the campaign.
4. Christopher Ward, The War of the Revolution. Broader military history of the Revolutionary War.
5. Regional histories of Washington County, New York. Useful for reconstructing the historic Fort Anne road network and battlefield landscape.

Online Historical Resources

1. American Battlefield Trust. Revolutionary War battlefield research.
2. Founders Online — National Archives. Contemporary military correspondence.
3. Library of Congress — George Washington Papers. Military correspondence and campaign records.
4. National Archives — Revolutionary War Records. Military service and pension records.
5. New York State Archives. New York historical and military records.
6. New Hampshire State Archives. New Hampshire military records.
7. The National Archives, United Kingdom. British military records.
8. Library of Congress — Historical Maps. Historical maps of New York and the Saratoga Campaign.

Research Notes and Historical Cautions

Battle date: July 8, 1777.

Location: Fort Anne, present-day Washington County, New York.

Alternative spelling: Fort Ann.

Campaign: Saratoga Campaign of 1777.

American commander: Colonel Pierse Long.

British commander: Lieutenant Colonel John Hill.

American strength: Approximately 500–1,000, depending upon the estimate and inclusion of reinforcements.

British strength: Approximately 190–200 in Hill’s detachment.

Principal American formation: 1st New Hampshire Regiment.

American supporting forces: Militia reinforcements; precise composition requires verification.

Principal British formation: 9th Regiment of Foot.

Battlefield terrain: Wooded hills, roads, streams, and forested approaches.

American objective: Defeat Hill’s detachment and protect the retreat.

British objective: Maintain pursuit and secure the route south.

British casualties: Frequently reported as 13 killed and 22 wounded.

American casualties: Uncertain; estimates differ.

Immediate outcome: Americans discontinue the attack; Hill’s force survives.

Subsequent result: Americans abandon Fort Anne and withdraw toward Fort Edward.

Strategic consequence: British advance continues amid increasing logistical difficulties.

Historical caution: The reasons for the American withdrawal are debated. Ammunition shortages and reports of approaching British reinforcements should not be presented as conclusively established explanations.

Geographic caution: The battle was fought in the countryside near Fort Anne, not as a prolonged assault upon the walls of a major fortress.

Genealogical caution: Do not confuse the 1st New Hampshire Regiment at Fort Anne with the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment at Hubbardton.