Kingston

 On the morning of October 16, 1777, a British fleet under the command of Maj. Gen. John Vaughan arrived at the mouth of Rondout and began a land attack on the Village of Kingston. The Ulster militia, consisting of 150 troops, was unable to defend against the British force of 1200 troops. The British burned Kingston and some of the surrounding farms before returning to their vessels and leaving.  

Ultimately, the burning of Kingston had little effect on the course of the Revolutionary War. Although the village was arguably the most important city on the Hudson River between Albany and New York City, the British chose not to occupy it, thus negating the strategic importance of the attack. In addition, very few casualties were reported on either side, although Vaughan reports burning a quantity of American war material. Perhaps the most lasting effect of the events of 16 October 1777 is the flight of the newly created New York State government from Kingston.