Burning of Kingston

The Burning of Kingston took place on October 13, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War as part of the Saratoga Campaign. In an attempt to relieve pressure on General John Burgoyne's British forces in Saratoga, New York, British units under the command of Henry Clinton attacked and captured Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton in the Hudson Highlands. Following this battle, Clinton sent forces under the command of John Vaughn to raid the Hudson Valley. Vaughn attacked and burned Kingston, New York, which was the capital of New York State. The state government evaded capture and fled to Hurley, New York but British forces under Vaughn burned Kingston, destroying more than 300 buildings.