Kingston

The Village of Kingston, located at the mouth of Rondout Creek, was attacked by a British fleet under Maj. Gen. John Vaughan on the morning of October 16, 1777. The Ulster militia, consisting of 150 troops, was unable to defend against the British force of 1200 troops. The British burned Kingston and some surrounding farms before returning to their vessels and leaving. Despite the destruction, the attack had little strategic impact on the Revolutionary War. The British did not occupy Kingston, and very few casualties were reported on either side, although some American war material was destroyed.

The most lasting effect of the burning of Kingston was the flight of the newly created New York State government from the village. Although Kingston was an important city on the Hudson River between Albany and New York City, the British decision not to occupy it negated the strategic importance of the attack. Today, the site serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the fledgling American government and the resilience of the local population during the Revolutionary War.