Aaron Burr

:Alternate meaning: Rev. Aaron Burr, Sr.

Military service

During the American Revolutionary War, Burr accompanied Gen. Benedict Arnold's expedition into Canada in 1775, and on arriving before the Battle of Quebec, he disguised himself as a Roman Catholic priest, making a dangerous journey of 120 miles to Montreal through British lines to notify General Richard Montgomery of Arnold's arrival. Burr is said to have carried the fallen Montgomery for a short distance during the retreat from Quebec. Burr's courage earned him a place on George Washington's staff, but the general, reportedly, never quite trusted Major Burr. Nevertheless, Israel Putnam took Burr under his wing, and by his vigilance in the retreat from Long Island, Burr saved an entire brigade from capture. Alexander Hamilton was an officer of this group.

Related Topics:
Canada - 1775 - Battle of Quebec - Roman Catholic - Montreal - British - Richard Montgomery - Quebec - George Washington - Israel Putnam - Long Island - Brigade - Alexander Hamilton

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On becoming lieutenant colonel in July 1777, Burr assumed the command of a regiment. During the harsh winter encampment at Valley Forge he guarded the Gulf, a pass commanding the approach to the camp, and necessarily the first point that would be attacked. In the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778), he commanded the Malcolms, a brigade in Lord Stirling's division. The Malcolms were decimated by British artillery, and Burr suffered a stroke in the terrible heat from which he would never quite recover. In January 1779, Burr was assigned to the command of the lines of Westchester County, a region between the British post at Kingsbridge and that of the Americans about 15 miles to the north. In this district there was much turbulence and plundering by the lawless elements of both Whigs and Tories, and by bands of ill-disciplined soldiers from both armies. Burr established a thorough patrol system, rigorously enforced martial law, and quickly restored order. He resigned from the Continental Army in March 1779 on account of ill health, renewing his study of law. Burr did continue to perform occasional intelligence missions for Continental generals such as Arthur St. Clair however, and on July 5, 1779 he rallied a group of Yale students at New Haven along with Capt. James Hillhouse and the Second Connecticut Governors Foot guards in a skirmish with the British at the West River. The British advance was repulsed, having to enter New Haven from Hamden. Despite this brief interlude, Burr was able to finish his studies and was admitted to the bar at Albany in 1782. He began to practice in New York City after its evacuation by the British in the following year.

Related Topics:
1777 - Regiment - Valley Forge - Battle of Monmouth - June 28 - 1778 - Lord Stirling - Stroke - 1779 - Westchester County - Kingsbridge - Whigs - Tories - Martial law - Continental Army - Law - Arthur St. Clair - July 5 - Yale - New Haven - James Hillhouse - Second Connecticut Governors Foot - Hamden - Bar - Albany - 1782 - New York City

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