Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia

Last updated
Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia
7th Albany County Regiment
Active 1777
Allegiance State of New York
Type militia
Part of New York Militia
Engagements Battle of Bemis Heights?
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Abraham Van Alstyne

The Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia, also known as the 7th Albany County Militia Regiment, was called up in July, 1777 at Kinderhook, New York to reinforce Gen. Horatio Gates's Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment served in Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck's Brigade. With the defeat of General John Burgoyne's British Army on October 17, 1777, the regiment stood down. It is uncertain whether the regiment participated in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights, and if it did, whether the entire regiment was there.

Horatio Gates American general in the American Revolutionary War

Horatio Lloyd Gates was a retired British soldier who served as an American general during the Revolutionary War. He took credit for the American victory in the Battles of Saratoga (1777) – a matter of contemporary and historical controversy – and was blamed for the defeat at the Battle of Camden in 1780. Gates has been described as "one of the Revolution's most controversial military figures" because of his role in the Conway Cabal, which attempted to discredit and replace General George Washington; the battle at Saratoga; and his actions during and after his defeat at Camden.

Continental Army Colonial army during the American Revolutionary War

The Continental Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the ex-British colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in their revolt against the rule of Great Britain. The Continental Army was supplemented by local militias and volunteer troops that remained under control of the individual states or were otherwise independent. General George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the army throughout the war.

Abraham Ten Broeck was a New York politician, businessman, and militia Brigadier General of Dutch descent. He was twice Mayor of Albany, New York and built one of the largest mansions in the area that still stands more than 200 years later.

Contents

Background

In June 1777 British General John Burgoyne began an attempt to divide the rebellious United States in the American Revolutionary War by moving south from the British province of Quebec to gain control of the Hudson River valley, separating the New England states from those to the south. After his early success at Ticonderoga, his campaign had become bogged down in difficulties. [1] Elements of the army had reached the Hudson as early as the end of July, but logistical and supply difficulties delayed the main army at Fort Edward. [2] He then moved south, crossing the Hudson near Saratoga and approaching the fortified position that General Horatio Gates had established south of the village. [3]

John Burgoyne British general and playwright, defeated in the 1777 Saratoga campaign

General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.

United States Federal republic in North America

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States or America, is a country composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles, the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

American Revolutionary War War between Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, which won independence as the United States of America

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was an 18th-century war between Great Britain and its Thirteen Colonies which declared independence as the United States of America.

History

On June 25, when Burgoyne's army had arrived at Fort Crown Point, General Philip Schuyler wrote to New York's Governor, George Clinton, indicating that he would ask the militia's Brigadier General, Abraham Ten Broeck, to send some of his militia companies to assist in the defenses further north. On July 7, when Burgoyne occupied Fort Ticonderoga, Ten Broeck indicated that, on receipt of that news, he had sent some of his forces forward. [4]

Fort Crown Point fort

Fort Crown Point was a British fort built by the combined efforts of both British and provincial troops in North America in 1759 at a narrows on Lake Champlain on what later became the border between New York and Vermont. Erected to secure the region against the French, the fort is in upstate New York near the town of Crown Point and was the largest earthen fortress built in the United States. The fort's ruins, a National Historic Landmark, are now administered as part of Crown Point State Historic Site.

Philip Schuyler general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York

Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.

New York (state) State of the United States of America

New York is a state in the Northeastern United States. New York was one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States. With an estimated 19.54 million residents in 2018, it is the fourth most populous state. To distinguish the state from the city with the same name, it is sometimes called New York State.

These forces probably did not include the 7th Albany County Regiment of Abraham van Alstyne, based in Kinderhook, New York. On September 18, one day before the Battle of Freeman's Farm, Governor Clinton wrote to the state's militia commander, General Abraham Ten Broeck, indicating he had ordered the remaining Albany County north to support Gates, issuing orders to Van Alstyne and other regimental leaders directly to speed their movement. [5]

It is unclear whether Van Alstyne's regiment reached Saratoga before October 7. Historian Borden Mills notes that Ten Broeck's brigade was clearly not at full strength on the day of battle when his return for October 16, 1777 is compared to a later return listing his entire strength. (The October 16 return does not contain a detailed regimental breakdown.) [6] Brendan Morrissey, in his order of battle, lists the regiment as a probable participant. [7]

On October 9, in response to Clinton's request to Gates for militia to deal with the threat of British forces on the Hudson in the aftermath of the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, Gates' adjutant, James Wilkinson, wrote to Clinton that "The militia you demand were yesterday ordered down, and the Albany county [militia] will this day, the weather permitting, follow." [8] This suggests that Van Alstyne's and other Albany County regiments were not present at Burgoyne's surrender, and were probably released after the British threat from New York City had subsided.

Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery

The Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery was an American Revolutionary War battle fought in the highlands of the Hudson River valley, not far from West Point, on October 6, 1777. British forces under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton captured Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery, and then dismantled the Hudson River Chain. The purpose of the attack was to create a diversion to draw American troops from the army of General Horatio Gates, whose army was opposing British General John Burgoyne's attempt to gain control of the Hudson.

James Wilkinson American general

James Wilkinson was an American soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies.

See also

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Evans' Regiment of Militia also known as the 4th New Hampshire Militia Regiment was called up at Exeter, New Hampshire on September 8, 1777 as reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment marched quickly to join the gathering forces of General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. The regiment served in General Ebenezer Learned's brigade of the Continental Army. With the surrender of Burgoyne's Army on October 17 the regiment was disbanded on December 15, 1777. The Regiment was called up again as part of Gen. John Sullivan's army at the unsuccessful Battle of Rhode Island in 1778.

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The Vandenbergh's Regiment of Militia, also known as the 5th Albany County Militia Regiment, was called up in July, 1777 at Rennselarwych, New York to reinforce Gen. Horatio Gates's Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment served in Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck's Brigade. With the defeat of General John Burgoyne's British Army on October 17, 1777 the regiment stood down.

The Van Ness' Regiment of Militia, also known as the 9th Albany County Militia Regiment, was called up in July, 1777 at Claverack, New York to reinforce Gen. Horatio Gates's Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment served in Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck's Brigade. With the defeat of General John Burgoyne's British Army on October 17, 1777 the regiment stood down.

The Van Schoonoven's Regiment of Militia, also known as the 12th Albany County Militia Regiment, was called up in July 1777 at Halfmoon, New York, to reinforce Gen. Horatio Gates's Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment served in Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck's brigade. With the defeat of General John Burgoyne's British Army on October 17, 1777, the regiment stood down.

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References

  1. ↑ Ketchum (1997), p. 348
  2. ↑ Ketchum (1997), p. 320
  3. ↑ Nickerson, pp. 296-300
  4. ↑ Proceedings of the New York State Historical Society, p. 209
  5. ↑ Proceedings of the New York State Historical Society, p. 212
  6. ↑ Proceedings of the New York State Historical Society, p. 207
  7. ↑ Morrissey, p. 28
  8. ↑ Proceedings of the New York State Historical Society, p. 208

Sources

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