STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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James Clinton

" James Clinton was first announced to his friends on a bright Thursday, the 9th of August 1736 in Ulster County, New York. He was by nature a military genius, and by heritage a stern patriot. With an iron constitution and great physical powers he united an accomplished education, great military experience acquired in the French war of 1756 and the subsequent border wars up to the time the American Revolution commenced. In 1775, he was appointed colonel by the Continental Congress and fought by the side of the brave Montgomery when he fell at Quebec. On the 9th of August 1776. Congress raised him to the rank of Brigadier General. He was at the desperate defence of Fort Clinton in October 1777 and was severely wounded and escaped after the enemy had stormed the imperfect works with 4,000 regulars against 500 soldiers mostly raw militia. He commanded a division under General Sullivan in his expedition down the Susquehanna against the Indians and was one of his most reliable officers. He was raised to the rank of Major General and closed his brilliant military career at the siege of Yorktown. He subsequently filled several civil stations. In all the duties of public and private life he acquitted himself nobly and with great usefulness to his country. He died on the 22d of December 1822 near his native place.

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson