Battle of Newtown

The Battle of Newtown (29 August 1779) was the only major battle of the Sullivan Expedition, an armed offensive led by Gen. John Sullivan that was ordered by the Continental Congress to end the threat of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War. The battle took place on the hillside just outside of what is now Elmira, New York, along the Chemung River, and ended with a sound defeat for the Iroquois (led by Joseph Brant) and Loyalists (led by Major John Butler and his son Walter Butler).

Related Topics:
29 August - 1779 - Sullivan Expedition - Gen. John Sullivan - Continental Congress - Iroquois - American Revolutionary War - Elmira, New York - Chemung River - Joseph Brant - Loyalists - John Butler - Walter Butler

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The site of the battle is today the Wellsburg exit of Route 17. Sullivan led the brigade of Gen. Edward Hand, with that of Gen. William Maxwell in reserve, against the Loyalists and Iroquois at this site. He ordered the brigade led by Col. Matthias Ogden to flank the enemy along the Chemung River to the west, and those led by James Clinton and Enoch Poor to secure the hillside on the eastern flank. Several roadside signs in the vicinity of the interchange mark various troop locations. A tall monument now stands in a state park on a hillside about a mile away, near the position taken by Clinton and Poor's brigades. This hillside area, which overlooks the interchange, is now known as Newtown Battlefield State Park.

Related Topics:
Wellsburg - Route 17 - Gen. Edward Hand - Gen. William Maxwell - Col. Matthias Ogden - Chemung River - James Clinton - Enoch Poor - Newtown Battlefield State Park

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