Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia
| Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia 7th Albany County Regiment |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1777 |
| Allegiance | State of New York |
| Type | militia |
| Part of | New York Militia |
| Engagements | Battle of Bemis Heights? |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Abraham Van Alstyne |
The Van Alstyne's Regiment of Militia, also known as the 7th Albany County Militia Regiment, was called up in July, 1777 at Kinderhook, New York to reinforce Gen. Horatio Gates's Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment served in Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck's Brigade. With the defeat of General John Burgoyne's British Army on October 17, 1777, the regiment stood down. It is uncertain whether the regiment participated in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights, and if it did, whether the entire regiment was there.
In June 1777 British General John Burgoyne began an attempt to divide the rebellious United States in the American Revolutionary War by moving south from the British province of Quebec to gain control of the Hudson River valley, separating the New England states from those to the south. After his early success at Ticonderoga, his campaign had become bogged down in difficulties. Elements of the army had reached the Hudson as early as the end of July, but logistical and supply difficulties delayed the main army at Fort Edward. He then moved south, crossing the Hudson near Saratoga and approaching the fortified position that General Horatio Gates had established south of the village.
On June 25, when Burgoyne's army had arrived at Fort Crown Point, General Philip Schuyler wrote to New York's Governor, George Clinton, indicating that he would ask the militia's Brigadier General, Abraham Ten Broeck, to send some of his militia companies to assist in the defenses further north. On July 7, when Burgoyne occupied Fort Ticonderoga, Ten Broeck indicated that, on receipt of that news, he had sent some of his forces forward.
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