Saratoga "Rebellion which a twelve-month ago was a con temptible pygmy, is now in appearance a giant." So spoke a contemporary after the Battles of Saratoga. Burgoyne's surrender on October 17, 1777, was one of those signal events that shape the destiny of nations. The American success encouraged a hesitant France to intervene openly on the side of the colonists. Without this support, America's bid for liberty might have been lost. At home, Saratoga was equally deci sive. Though 4 more years of fighting were necessary to bring final victory at Yorktown, the success here brightened a desperate cause at a moment when failure would have been disastrous.
For centuries the Lake Champlain-Hudson River route had been a strategic highway through the northeast. In pre-Revolutionary years, this route was bloodied during the wars between England and France for control of North America. Once again it was to be a theater of historic events, this time the drama of a people aiming to estab lish a free nation.
Gen. John Burgoyne's plan for the British cam paign of 1777 called for his army to move south ward from Canada along the Champlain-Hudson route to Albany. To support him and create a diversion, Col. Barry St. Leger was to march o east from Lake Ontario with a smaller force and penetrate into the upper Mohawk Valley. After reaching Albany, Burgoyne would place his force o under Sir William Howe, who headquartered in CO New York City with a sizeable army of his own. Ó a. The two armies would then be in a position to make a concerted effort to quell the rebellion. Depicted in the cover illustration by Celia Strain are (clockwise from bottom left) the wounding of Gen. Benedict Arnold, the Great Redoubt where Gen. Simon Fraser was buried, Gen. John Burgoyne, Gen. Philip Schuyler, and Gen. Horatio Gates. National Historical Park, New York Sir William, however, had his own plans. Taking gust 16 John Stark's and Seth Warner's New the bulk of his force, he would move on Phila England militia shattered this force, inflicting delphia, the patriot capital, by way of Chesa about 800 casualties. peake Bay. He left only a small force under Sir Henry Clinton in New York. Colonial Secretary Despite these setbacks, Burgoyne decided to George Germain had endorsed Howe's plan, sever his communications with Canada and risk trusting that he would return to New York in everything on a push to Albany. On September time to cooperate with Burgoyne. But Howe was 13, he crossed to the west bank of the Hudson already at sea and deeply committed to the at Saratoga (now Schuylerville) and began Philadelphia campaign when he received Ger marching southward. Four miles north of the main's conditional approval. Thus it happened village of Stillwater, the British force came upon that the troops best positioned to help Burgoyne the Americans, 9,000 strong. In command now were not available in the required numbers. And was Gen. Horatio Gates, who had replaced to succeed, Burgoyne's campaign depended on Schuyler. The Americans were entrenched on mutually supporting armies. When his army ad Bemis Heights, a strong position where the road vanced from Canada without support from New to Albany squeezed through a defile between York City, it became an isolated column in a the hills and the river, as does today's U.S. 4. vast and hostile wilderness. American artillery on the heights and in redoubts Burgoyne embarked from St. Johns (now St. along the Hudson commanded the river and the Jean), Canada, on June 17, 1777. His total force road. Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish military of some 9,000 men included about 4,200 British engineer serving with the Americans, had regulars, 4,000 German troops, and several hun chosen and fortified the site. Burgoyne's heavily dred Canadians and Indians. Confidently, Bur burdened army had either to run the gauntlet goyne advanced southward to attack Fort Ticon- between the hills and the river, thus risking deroga on Lake Champlain. On July 6, after a destruction, or drive the Americans out of their 4-day siege, the fort fell. Moving on southward fortifications on the heights. The British general through Skenesboro, Fort Ann, and Fort Edward, chose to fight. the British were impeded by rough terrain and the delaying tactics of Gen. Philip Schuyler, then On September 19 the Royal Army advanced upon commanding American troops in the Northern the American camp in three separate columns. Department charged with halting Burgoyne's Two of them headed through the heavy forests advance. Schuyler's soldiers felled trees, de covering the region; the third, composed of stroyed bridges, and burned crops before the German troops, marched down the river road. path of the British. The British objective was to occupy a strong position from which to conduct field operations Time and the tide of events now began to run against the American entrenchments. against Burgoyne. St. Leger halted his advance down the Mohawk Valley to besiege Fort Stan- American scouts operating on the Hudson detec wix. In the Battle of Oriskany on August 6 he ted Burgoyne's army in motion. When advised stopped an American column marching to aid of this, Gates ordered Col. Daniel Morgan's the fort. But learning that a strong force under rifle corps to reconnoiter the enemy's march. Gen. Benedict Arnold was on its way, he raised About 12:30 p.m. a detachment of Morgan's men the siege and retreated toward Canada. Even brushed with the advance guard of Burgoyne's more serious was the fate of a detachment of center column in a clearing known as the Free men Burgoyne sent to Bennington, Vt. On Au man Farm, about 1 mile north of the American camp. Action was renewed after a brief lull, and non, a force of 1,500 men moved out of the At this crucial point, Gen. Simon Fraser, who the Freeman Farm. Within an hour after the for more than 3 hours fighting swayed back and British camp. commanded the British right, rode among his opening clash, Burgoyne lost eight cannon and forth over the farm. Repeatedly the British regi men in a desperate effort to encourage a stand more than 400 officers and men. ments had to re-form their lines and charge with After marching southwesterly about three-quar and cover the developing withdrawal. In the fog fixed bayonets, only to be stopped by the deadly ters of a mile, the troops deployed in a clearing of battle, Fraser was shot, possibly by a member Flushed with success, the Americans believed fire of the numerically superior Americans. It on the Barber Farm. The larger part of the of a party detailed by Colonel Morgan for that that victory was near. Led by Arnold, one col was discipline and bayonets versus sheer num British front faced an open field, but both flanks purpose. Mortally wounded, Fraser was borne umn launched a series of savage attacks on the bers; and in this forested, ravine-slashed terrain rested in woods, thus exposing them to surprise from the field. Balcarres Redoubt, a powerful British fieldwork the British regiments began to waver. attack by the enemy. As the Royal Army ad on the Freeman Farm. After repeated assaults vanced, the American scouts retired and the Before the enemy's flanks could be rallied, failed to carry this position, Arnold wheeled his On the advice of Benedict Arnold, American re alarm was beaten in Gates' camp. About 3 p.m. Arnold—who had been relieved of command after horse and, dashing through the crossfire of both inforcements were placed where they threatened the Americans attacked in three columns under a quarrel with Gates—rode onto the field armies, spurred northwest to the Breymann Re to outflank the British right. At this crucial point, Colonel Morgan, Gen. Ebenezer Learned, and and led Learned's brigade against the German doubt. He arrived just as American troops began German reinforcements arrived from the river Gen. Enoch Poor. Repeatedly the British line troops holding the British center. Under tremen to assault the front and left of the fortification. road. Hurling them against the American right, was broken, then rallied, and both flanks were dous pressure from all sides, the Germans joined Arnold joined them in the final surge that over Burgoyne steadied the wavering British line and severely punished and driven back. a general withdrawal into the fortifications on whelmed the German soldiers defending the gradually forced the Americans to withdraw. Ex work. Upon entering the redoubt, he was cept for this timely arrival and the near exhaus wounded in the leg. Had he died there, posterity would have known few names brighter than that tion of the Americans' ammunition, Burgoyne of Benedict Arnold. might have been defeated that day.
Though he held the immediate field of battle, Darkness ended the day's fighting and saved Burgoyne's advance had been stopped about a Burgoyne's army from immediate disaster. That mile north of the American line and his army night the British commander left his campfires roughly treated. Shaken by this "victory," the burning and withdrew his troops behind the British commander ordered his troops to en Great Redoubt, which protected the high ground trench in the vicinity of the Freeman Farm and and river flats at the northeast corner of the awaited support from Clinton, who was prepar battlefield. The next night, October 8, after bury ing to move north toward Albany from New York ing General Fraser in the redoubt, the British City. Nearly 3 weeks of anxious waiting brought began their retreat northward. They had suffered no aid from the south, however. True, Clinton 1,000 casualties in the fighting of the past 3 did capture the forts along the Hudson south weeks; American losses numbered less than 500. of Albany on October 6. But Burgoyne did not know this, nor was Clinton's distant success an After a miserable march in mud and rain, Bur immediate threat to Gates. goyne's troops took refuge in a fortified camp on the heights at Saratoga. There an American By now Burgoyne's situation was critical. Faced force that had grown to nearly 20,000 men sur by a growing American army (4,000 militiamen rounded the exhausted British army. In the had joined Gates), without hope of help from face of such great odds, Burgoyne was forced the south, and with supplies rapidly diminishing, to surrender on October 17, 1777. By the terms the British army became weaker with each pass of the Convention of Saratoga, Burgoyne's de ing day. Burgoyne had to choose between ad pleted army, some 6,000 men, marched out of vancing or retreating. He decided to risk a its camp "with the Honors of War" and stacked second engagement, and on October 7 ordered its weapons along the west bank of the Hudson a reconnaissance-in-force to test the American River. Thus was gained one of the most decisive left flank. Ably led and supported by eight can- victories in American and world history.
About Your Visit the British built a system of The park entrances lie 30 miles fortifications which they called north of Albany, N.Y., on U.S. 4 the "Great Redoubt." It was and N.Y. 32. Taxi service is designed to guard the hospital. available from Saratoga artillery park, and supplies Springs. Mechanicville, and on the river flat, and the boat Schuylerville. bridge across the Hudson. Burgoyne withdrew his army The visitor center is open daily Seeing Saratoga Battlefield day much as it did when Amer pickets exchanged musket and unsuccessful attacks to this vicinity during the except Thanksgiving Day, De This guide, used in conjunc ican staff officers used if for shots during the weeks pre against this work. The redoubt night of October 7. cember 25, and January 1. Both tion with the maps and exhibits quarters in September 1777. ceding the October 7 battle. is outlined by stakes. the John Neilson House and in the visitor center and the The high ground here is It was from this overlook that 1Q Fraser Burial Site and Trail. A the Freeman House are usu interpretive markers on the named for Jotham Bemis. who American scouts first observed y Breymann Redoubt. This for 1-mile loop trail passes the ally open in summer, and park battlefield itself, will help you kept a tavern at the foot of the British movement toward tification, a single line of traditional gravesite of Gen. roads are open from about to gain a clearer understand the hill. Stakes outline the the Barber Farm on October 7. breastworks about 200 yards Simon Fraser. mortally wound April 1 to November 30 as ing of the battles of Saratoga. American fortified line that long and from 7 to 8 feet ed during the second battle of weather permits. The Schuyler The auto tour route begins at extended toward the south C Barber Wheatfield. Here and high, guarded the British right Saratoga. Beyond the grave- House is open from late June the south end of the parking east. The other half of the line in the field farther west (be flank and the road to Quaker site, the trail continues to the to Labor Day. area. The complete tour is 9 ran southwesterly along the yond the first row of trees) Springs. It was held by Ger sites of the British hospital, miles long and takes about 4 Quaker Springs Road and the the Americans on October 7 man troops under the com artillery park, baggage area, hours. (Those with less time ridge south of the D.A.R. intercepted 1.500 British and mand of Lt. Col. Heinrich and the Taylor House where Administration should be sure to stop at the Monument. About VA mile to German soldiers advancing Breymann. The interval be Fraser died. Portions of the Saratoga National Historical Neilson Farm, the Barber the south are the sites of southwest in an attempt to tween the Breymann and Old Champlain Canal may Park is administered by the Wheatfield, the Balcarres Re General Gates' headquarters outflank the American left. Balcarres Redoubts was de also be seen along the trail. National Park Service, U.S. doubt, and the Schuyler and the field hospital where Fierce fighting followed and. fended by Canadian volunteers (Note: The loop trail is fairly Department of the Interior. A House.) American wounded were as American reinforcements posted in two log buildings. steep. Persons with unusual superintendent, whose address treated. rushed in, Burgoyne's troops While Arnold led the attacks physical limitations should take this into consideration before is R.F.D. 1, Box 113-C, Still 1 Freeman Farm Overlook. In were compelled to withdraw against the Balcarres Redoubt, other American troops pre using it.) water. NY 12170, is in imme 1777 the land here was owned Q American River Fortifications. to fortifications on the Free pared to assault this work. diate charge. and farmed by John Freeman, This strongpoint was the key man Farm. Northwest of here Driving the Canadians from a loyalist who went north to to the American strategy is the spot where British their position, the Americans To reach the Schuyler House join Burgoyne's invasion force. against Burgoyne in 1777. Gen. Simon Fraser was mor As the Nation's principal con charged the Germans on the and Saratoga Monument from The fields in front of you were Infantrymen and cannon here, tally wounded while attempt servation agency, the Depart flanks and center. As Learned. this point, return to U.S. 4 and the scene of the major fighting supported by batteries along ing to rally his men. ment of the Interior has basic Morgan, and Col. John turn left. Schuylerville is 13 of September 19. Col. Daniel the near riverbank, com responsibility for most of our Brooks led their men over the kilometers (8 miles) north. Morgan's Virginia riflemen manded the road, the flood nationally owned public lands g Balcarres Redoubt (Freeman front of the breastwork, opened the clash shortly before plain, and the river, closing and natural resources. This Farm). After the battle of Arnold entered it from the The Schuyler House, situated noon by firing on the advance off the Hudson Valley route to includes fostering the wisest September 19. Burgoyne's rear. He fell with a leg wound in Schuylerville (historic Sara guard of Burgoyne's center Albany. This powerful posi use of our land and water re forces hurriedly constructed as the position was captured. toga), was the country home of column from their post in the tion, established under the sources, protecting our fish a fortified line from the river The redoubt is outlined by Gen. Philip Schuyler both be Freeman House, a stout cabin direction of Thaddeus Kos- and wildlife, preserving the to the Breymann Redoubt. stakes. Arnold's wound is fore and after the battles. The of logs. Toward dusk it ap ciuszko. a Polish military en environmental and cultural val commemorated by the nearby present house, erected in 1777 ues of our national parks and peared that the British would gineer and volunteer in the The strongest part of this line "Boot Monument." shortly after Burgoyne's sur historical places, and provid be driven from the field, but the patriot cause, forced the was located on the Freeman render, was the center of ing for the enjoyment of life timely arrival of German troops British to move through rough, Farm where the British built Schuyler's extensive farming through outdoor recreation. saved them. Shortly afterwards. wooded terrain west of the Q Burgoyne's Headquarters. The a log-and-earthen redoubt and milling operations. The Department assesses our with ammunition running low valley to attack the main 500 yards long and from 12 path here leads to the site energy and mineral resources and darkness setting in, the American line on Bemis to 14 feet high. Named for of Burgoyne's headquarters, and works to assure that their Americans retired to their camp Heights. The result was the Lord Balcarres, who com which at the time of the The Saratoga Monument, com development is in the best around the Neilson Farm on clash on September 19. manded the British light in battles consisted of a large pleted in 1883, commemorates interests of all our people. The Bemis Heights, about 1 mile fantry, it was manned by 1,500 marquee or tent. It was estab the surrender of the Crown south, or to your right. Department also has a major A Chatfield Farm. An American men and mounted eight can lished after the action of forces under Gen. John Bur responsibility for American outpost placed on this ridge. non. On October 7 Burgoyne's September 19 and was the goyne to Gen. Horatio Gates on Indian reservation communities 2 Neilson Farm (Bemis Heights). the site of Asa Chatfield's flanking column, retreating center of command and camp October 17, 1777. The 155-foot and for people who live in Both before and after the farm in 1777, could observe from the Barber Farm, with life between the two engage memorial stands on a summit Island Territories under U.S. battles, these heights were any advance against the cen drew to this point. Benedict ments. Burgoyne chose the within what was Burgoyne's administration. farmed by John Neilson, who ter and left of the patriot line. Arnold led Poor's brigade and site because of a nearby spring. entrenched camp during the joined the American troops Beyond the ridge before you parts of Learned's and Brig. final days of the campaign. National Park Service opposing Burgoyne's advance. is the Middle Ravine, across Gen. John Paterson's com 9 Great Redoubt. On this hill The top floor offers a beautiful U.S. Department of the Interior His restored home stands to which American and British mands in a series of costly and two others to the north. panoramic view.