Saratoga, Battle of

Saratoga, Battle of (1777). In 1777 the British strategy to quell the American Revolution involved plans to seize the Lake Champlain–Hudson River channel of communication, thereby isolating rebellious New England. As formulated by the appointed commander, John Burgoyne, and authorized by the secretary of state for the colonies, George Germain, the main army would descend from Montreal, Canada, while an auxiliary force under Barry St. Leger would sweep westward through Lake Ontario, both to unite at Albany with William Howe's army ascending from New York City. Germain, however, failed to send adequate instructions to Howe, who chose to sail south to capture Philadelphia. Burgoyne, with 4,135 British regulars, 3,116 German mercenaries, 500 Indians, and 500 French Canadian militia, captured the inadequately defended Fort Ticonderoga on 6 July 1777. Believing his orders mandatory, and despite St. Leger's failure to capture Fort Stanwix, he then crossed the Hudson, cutting his Canadian supply line.

Horatio Gates (ca. 1728–1806) replaced the unpopular Philip Schuyler as commander of the American army, now camped at Stillwater, New York. On 19 September, at the Battle of Freeman's Farm, the 10,277 Americans, spearheaded by Daniel Morgan's riflemen and spurred by Benedict Arnold, defeated Burgoyne's three‐pronged offensive. The British suffered 566 casualties, the Americans 313. On 7 October, at the Battle of Bemis Heights, an unauthorized American attack led by Arnold repulsed Burgoyne's 1,723‐man advance force. British losses were 631, American 130. Burgoyne waited futilely for reinforcements from New York and finally retreated to Saratoga, where on 17 October he surrendered his army of nearly 6,000 men. A major turning point of the war, the American victory in the Battle of Saratoga encouraged France to conclude the treaty of alliance, which assured American independence.
See also Revolutionary War.

Bibliography

Hoffman Nickerson , The Turning Point of the American Revolution, 1928, reprint 1967.
Max M. Mintz , The Generals of Saratoga: John Burgoyne and Horatio Gates, 1990.

Max M. Mintz