Clinton, James, 1733–1812, American Revolutionary general, b. Orange co., N.Y.; brother of George Clinton and father of De Witt Clinton. He served in the French and Indian Wars and early in the Revolution took part in the disastrous Quebec campaign. His most noted exploit was his heroic but futile defense of Fort Clinton (near Kingston, N.Y.) against the British drive up the Hudson valley under Sir Henry Clinton in 1777. James Clinton later fought (1779) with Gen. John Sullivan against the Native Americans and served at Yorktown (1781).
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