ORWELL — The Revolutionary War’s Northern American Army withdrew under the cover of darkness on July 5 and 6, 1777, from their fortifications at Mount Independence in Orwell, Vt., and Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y., as the British under Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne drew near.
On July 6 and 7, 2017, a group of about 20 or more intrepid Revolutionary War re-enactors will honor the 240th anniversary of this retreat with a walk of their own. They will follow in the footsteps of history, leaving the Mount Independence State Historic Site on Thursday, July 5, about 9:30 a.m. The public is invited to give them a good send-off and watch them leave.
Look for the walkers as they head down Mount Independence Road, Old Stage Road, Route 144, Hortonia Road and Frog Hollow Road, ending up at the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site in Hubbardton on Friday, July 7. Thousands of soldiers made this same trek 240 years ago. The re-enactors will arrive in time for the Battle of Hubbardton Revolutionary War Living History Weekend, July 8 and 9, honoring the anniversary of the July 8, 1777, battle — the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Vermont soil.
The Mount Independence State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War archaeological sites. It is located near the end of Mount Independence Road six miles west of the intersection of Routes 22A and 73 in Orwell. It has an air-conditioned museum, six miles of trails, and is open daily through Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 948-2000 for information.