To achieve this, Burgoyne would be assisted
by Fraser, still commanding the Advanced
Corps, Gen. William Phillipsof the artillery,
and Hessian Gen. Friedrich von Riedesel.
The campaign began in June 1777, when Bur-
goyne advanced down the Lake Champlain
corridor, and Fraser did essential work scout-
ing and driving back enemy light troops. His
command then consisted of 1,200 regular sol-
diers, 300 Indians, and 12 cannons. These
proved instrumental in seizing Mount Defi-
ance, a position southwest of Fort Ticon-
deroga that the Americans considered too
steep to mount cannons. But Fraser thought
otherwise and, assisted by Phillips, dragged
up several pieces by hand overnight. This
move induced Gen. Arthur St. Clair to aban-
don Fort Ticonderoga without a fight.
With the fort secured—Fraser himself per-
sonally ran up the British flag—his light in-
fantry scampered off in pursuit of the Ameri-
cans, and on July 7, 1777, he surprised three
militia regiments under Gen. Seth Warner at
Hubbardton, Vermont. Confused fighting fol-
lowed, and Fraser, outnumbered, was on the
verge of being surrounded when Riedesel’s
Hessians appeared on the field to assist.
Losses were heavy on both sides, but three
American regiments were shattered and 200
prisoners taken. Fraser then resumed the
point on July 20, 1777, and the following
month Burgoyne’s army had crossed over the
Hudson River and entrenched itself at
Saratoga.
By late summer, the British were in dire
straits, being low on supplies and badly out-
numbered by the invigorated Americans. On
September 19, 1777, Burgoyne dispatched
several columns forward in an attempt to
force Gen. Horatio Gates into decisive battle.
A spirited action was fought in and around
Freeman’s Farm, and Fraser, committed to a
wide circling movement, was only lightly en-
gaged on the right wing. There he engaged
and drove off a body of riflemen under Col.
Daniel Morgan and was roundly praised by
Burgoyne for his actions. The Americans sub-
sequently withdrew, but Burgoyne failed to
pursue them despite Fraser’s urging. He re-
mained in place while Gates slowly drew a
noose around his army. By the time Burgoyne
finally ordered an attack on October 5, the
Americans were entrenched and waiting.
A heavy fight then broke out in the vicinity
of Bemis Heights, and Fraser’s Advanced
Corps was attacked by overwhelming num-
bers. The German column was also attacked
in turn, and Fraser set about rallying his
forces to cover their retreat. To accomplish
this, he calmly rode about the lines on his
prancing stallion, steadily surveying the chaos
about him. This brave display caught the eye
of newly arrived Gen. Benedict Arnold, who
then ordered Colonel Morgan to shoot him
down. According to legend, Morgan turned to
Timothy Murphy, a legendary rifleman, and
declared, “That is a gallant officer; but he
must die.” Murphy then climbed a tree for a
better view and, at extreme range, fired three
shots. The third one hit Fraser in the chest,
and he had to be helped from the field. He
was subsequently tended to at Baroness
Frederika von Riedesel’s tent for several
hours, but he died the next morning.
Fraser’s passing was lamented by Bur-
goyne and his fellow officers. They buried
him at 6 P.M. on a knoll overlooking the Hud-
son River, amid solemn proceedings. The
Americans, unaware of the ceremony, threw
several cannon shots at the burial detail—but
immediately ceased fire when they learned
what was happening. General Gates subse-
quently ordered his cannons fired to salute a
fallen enemy. The lamented Fraser died as he
had lived, fearlessly, and always at the head of
his men. With Burgoyne having lost his best
light infantry leader, his military position
steadily worsened until he surrendered to
Gates on October 17, 1777. Historians have
since speculated that had Fraser lived, the
British might have fought their way back to
Canada and safety.See also
Arnold, BenedictFRASER, SIMON