The Battle of Johnstown (Second)
October 25, 1781 at Johnstown, New York
Facts about the Battle of Johnstown (Second)
- Armies - American Forces was commanded by Col. Marinus Willett and consisted of about 400 Soldiers. British Forces was commanded by Maj. John Ross and consisted of about 700 Soldiers.
- Casualties - American casualties were 3 killed and 40 wounded. British casualties were 7 killed, 40 wounded, and 30 missing/captured.
- Outcome - The result of the battle was an American victory. The battle was part of the Northern Theater 1778-82.
Prelude
On October 24, Major John Ross had led his force of British, Germans, Tories, and Indians up the Mohawk Valley to within 12 miles of Schenectady. There, he quickly brushed aside some American militia. At 2:00 P.M., he entered Johnstown.
Colonel Marinus Willett had his 400-man American force march all through the night to catch up with Ross.
Battle Begins
On October 25, Willett made contact with the British at Johnstown around dark. Willett sent Colonel Aaron Rowley to envelop the British with a force of New York troops and militia while his main body made an attack on the British front. Willett thought that he had the upper hand until the British captured his one cannon and stripped its ammunition cart before the Americans could retake it. The miltia on the American right flank panicked and withdrew.
Ross claimed that he had Willett almost surrounded and that only the darkness saved the American force from being annihilated. Ross then retreated 6 miles and Willett did not pursue the British for 3 days.