Saratoga U.S. Department of the Interior National Historical Park

“I have always thought Hudson’s River the most proper part of the whole continent for opening vigorous operations. Because the course of the river…is precisely the route that an army ought to take for the great purposes of cutting the communications between the Southern and Northern Provinces, giving confidence to the Indians, and securing a junction with the Canadian forces.” —Gen. , 1775 The Campaign of 1777

British Gen. John Burgoyne believed in the as total force included 4,000 British regulars, 3,200 German a strategic highway through the northeast from the moment auxiliaries from Braunschweig and Hessen-Hanau, 250 he arrived in America in 1775. His northern campaign plan Canadian and loyalist soldiers, 400 Iroquois and Algonquian of 1777 was to move his army south from Canada via the Lake warriors, and about 1,000 noncombatants and camp Champlain-Hudson River route to Albany. A smaller force followers. His first major objective, on under Col. Barry St. Leger was expected to support this by , fell on July 6 after a four-day siege. Moving marching east from Lake Ontario into the upper Mohawk south through Skenesboro and Fort Edward, the British were Valley. Burgoyne and St. Leger would meet at Albany and join impeded by rough terrain and Gen. ’s delaying forces with Sir William Howe’s sizeable army in New York tactics. As commander of American troops in the Northern City. Together they would destroy the rebellion. Department, Schuyler was charged with halting Burgoyne’s invasion. But Howe had other ideas. Leaving only a small force under Sir Henry Clinton in New York, he planned to move against Time and the tide of events now began to run against the patriot capital at via . Burgoyne. St. Leger halted his advance down the Mohawk Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain approved this, Valley to besiege Fort Stanwix. In the Battle of Oriskany on believing that Howe would return to New York in time to August 6 he stopped American militia marching to aid the fort. cooperate with Burgoyne. Howe was then already at sea and But learning that a strong force under Gen. committed to the Philadelphia campaign when Germain’s was on its way, St. Leger raised the siege and retreated to approval reached him. This meant that if Burgoyne needed Canada. More serious was the fate of a detachment Burgoyne help from during his invasion from Canada, sent to Bennington. On August 16, Gen. John Stark’s and few troops would be on hand to help him. Burgoyne left Col. ’s New England troops shattered this force, St. Johns (now St. Jean), Canada, on June 17, 1777. His inflicting 900 casualties. North

0 10 50 Kilometers Montréal R Despite the setbacks, Burgoyne severed communications with

i c

h

0 10 50 Miles e

l Canada and risked all on a push to Albany. His army crossed

i St. Johns e

u

Burgoyne departs June 17 to the Hudson’s west bank at Saratoga (now Schuylerville) CANADA in mid-September and continued advancing south. Four

ce n Lake miles north of Stillwater, he came upon the 8,000 Americans re w Champlain a L commanded by Gen. , who had replaced t BURGOYNE in a S Schuyler. The Americans were dug in on Bemis Heights, a ADIRONDACK Fort Crown Point strong position where the road to Albany squeezed through a June 26 MOUNTAINS defile between the hills and the river, as U.S. 4 does today. Fort Ticonderoga July 6 Hubbardton LAKE July 7 NEW YORK ONTARIO Skenesboro American artillery on the heights and in redoubts along the Fort Anne July 8 Fort Oswego ST. LEGER Fort Edward Hudson commanded both river and road. Col. Tadeusz St. Leger departs Fort Stanwix Saratoga July 26 August 3-23 Saratoga Mo Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer serving with the hawk Sept 19; Oct 7 Oneida Stillwater Bennington Fort H August 16 Americans, had chosen and fortified the site. Burgoyne’s Lake Oriskany Dayton u

August 6 d s

GATES o n heavily burdened army had to go between the hills and the

Albany river, risking destruction, or drive the Americans from the

American troop British troop fortified heights. The British general chose to attack. movement movement To New York City

The On September 19 the British advanced dig in near Freeman Farm and await Poor. Repeatedly the British line was on the American camp in three columns. support from Clinton, who promised to broken, then rallied, and both flanks were Two headed through heavy forests send troops north to aid Burgoyne. He hit hard and driven back. Gen. Simon covering the region; the third, made up waited nearly three weeks, but received Fraser was mortally wounded as he rode of mostly German troops, marched down no further word from Clinton. among his men to encourage them to the river road. Seeing Burgoyne’s army in make a stand and cover the developing motion, American scouts notified Gates, Burgoyne’s plight was now critical. He withdrawal. who ordered Col. ’s corps faced a growing American army, with of Virginia and riflemen no hope of help from the south. His Before the enemy’s flanks could be to track the British march. About 12:30 supplies were running out, and his rallied, Gen. Benedict Arnold—effectively p.m., some of Morgan’s men brushed army weakened daily. He chose to relieved of command after a quarrel with with the advance guard of Burgoyne’s risk a second battle. On October 7 he Gates—led Learned’s brigade against center column in a clearing—Freeman ordered a reconnaissance-in-force to test the German troops holding the British Farm—about a mile north of the the American left flank. Ably led, and center. Under fierce pressure from all American camp. supported by eight cannon, 1,700 men sides, the Germans joined the withdrawal moved out of the British camp. into fortifications on Freeman Farm. In The ensuing battle ranged back and forth the hour of fighting, Burgoyne lost eight over the form for over three hours. Then, Marching 1,300 yards to the southwest, cannon and over 400 officers and men. as outnumbered British lines wavered the troops deployed in a clearing on under deadly American fire, German Flushed with success, the Americans Retreat to Saratoga (Schuylerville) reinforcements arrived from the river on October 8 thought victory was near. Arnold led

K

r road. Hurling themselves at the American o one column in a series of savage attacks K Breymann m i Arnold l l a Redoubt right, Burgoyne steadied his breaking BURGOYNE on the Balcarres Redoubt, a powerful GREAT line, gradually forcing the Americans to Fraser RAVINE British fort built on Freeman’s Farm. Balcarres Redoubt withdraw. Burgoyne held the field but (Freeman Farm) Great Redoubt Failing repeatedly to carry this position, BRITISH Barber was stopped a mile north of the American Farm CAMP Arnold wheeled his horse and, dashing

R

M E

lines, his army badly bloodied. Shaken V through both armies’ crossfire, spurred i l I Poor l

Morgan R

by his victory, he ordered his troops to northwest to the Breymann Redoubt. Learned N

C O re

S

e

k D Arriving as American troops began to

From Saratoga (Schuylerville) U

GATES H BURGOYNE assault the fortification, he joined the

Fraser K r final surge overwhelming the German o AMERICAN K m OCTOBER 7 i l l a CAMP Present-day Saratoga National Historical Park soldiers defending it. Entering the To Albany area shown in GREEN. Morgan GREAT RAVINE redoubt he was wounded in the leg. Freeman Farm Learned Had he died there, posterity would have Poor MI LE . Most of the British known few brighter names than Benedict DD von Riedesel Barber Farm RA NE VI R

M E front was posted in open fields, but the Arnold.

i V l I l

R

Arnold topography made both flanks vulnerable

N

C O re S

e to surprise attack. The Americans now Darkness ended the fighting, saving

D

k

U

GATES H knew Burgoyne’s army was moving. the British from immediate disaster. About 3 p.m. they attacked in three That night Burgoyne left his campfires AMERICAN SEPTEMBER 19 CAMP Present-day Saratoga columns under Morgan, Gen. burning and withdrew his troops behind National Historical Park To Albany area shown in GREEN. Ebenezer Learned, and Gen. Enoch the Great Redoubt protecting the high ground and river flats at the battlefield’s There an American force, grown to nearly surrendered on October 17, 1777. Under northeast corner. The next night, 17,000 men, surrounded the exhausted the terms of the Convention of Saratoga, October 8, after burying Fraser in the . Burgoyne’s depleted 6,000-man army redoubt, the British began retreating marched out of its camp “with the north. They had suffered over 1,200 After a miserable rainy, muddy march, Honors of War” and surrendered its arms casualties in three weeks; American Burgoyne’s troops took refuge in a along the Hudson River’s west bank. losses were fewer than 500. fortified camp on the heights of Saratoga. There an American force, grown to One of the most decisive victories in After a miserable rainy, muddy march, nearly 17,000 men, surrounded the American and world history had now Burgoyne’s troops took refuge in a exhausted British army. Faced with been won. fortified cam on the heights of Saratoga. such overwhelming numbers, Burgoyne

Touring Saratoga Battlefield Use this guide, along with the maps 4) Chatfield Farm An American headquarters. At the time of the and exhibits in the visitor center and outpost on this ridge, the site of Jessie battles it consisted of large marquees interpretive markers on the battlefield, Chatfield’s farm in 1777, spotted or tents. Set up after the action to better understand the Battles of the British movement toward the of September 19, it was the center Saratoga. The auto tour starts near Barber Farm on October 7. Middle of British command and camp life the visitor center at the parking area’s Ravine lies beyond the ridge in front between the two battles. Burgoyne south end. It covers 10 miles and has of you. American and British pickets chose the location because of a nearby 10 tour stops. If your time is limited, exchanged musket and rifle shots spring. be sure to see Neilson Farm, Barber across the ravine just before the second Wheatfield, and Balcarres Redoubt. battle began. 9) The Great Redoubt was the strongest of three hilltop forts built by the British 1) Freeman Farm Overlook In 1777 5) Barber Wheatfield Here and in the along bluffs overlooking the river. It the ground east of this open field was field farther west (beyond the first row guarded their hospital, artillery park, leased and farmed by John Freeman, of trees)on October 7 the Americans Indian and American loyalist camps, a loyalist who went north and joined intercepted the 1,500 British and food stocks, boats, refugees, and the British invasion force. The major German soldiers advancing southwest floating bridge. Burgoyne withdrew his fighting on September 19 took place in an attempt to reconnoiter the army to this vicinity during the night of on his farm. There, Morgan’s riflemen American left. After an hour of fierce October 7. opened the battle around noon fighting, Burgoyne’s troops retreated by firing on the advance guard of to fortifications on Freeman Farm. 10) Fraser Burial Site and Trail A one- Burgoyne’s center column from their British Gen. Simon Fraser was mortally mile loop trail passes the traditional posts near the Freeman House. wounded while trying to rally his men site of the grave of General Fraser, northeast of here. who was mortally wounded during 2) Neilson Farm (the Summit) Before the second Battle of Saratoga. Beyond and after the battles John Neilson 6) Balcarres Redoubt (Freeman Farm) the gravesite, the trail continues to the farmed these heights. He joined the was a log-and-earthen work stretching sites of the British hospital, artillery American troops to oppose Burgoyne’s about 375 yards long. Named for park, baggage area, and Tayler House, advance. Today his restored home Lord Balcarres, commander of British where Fraser died. (Parts of the Old looks much as it did when Generals light infantry, this was the strongest Champlain Canal may also be seen Arnold and Poor used it for quarters fort built by the British following the along the trail.) Note: The loop trail in 1777. Posts outline the fortified September 19 battle. On October 7 is fairly steep. Persons with physical American lines. Sites of Genera Gates’ the British flanking column withdrew limitations should take this into headquarters and the American field here after being driven from the Barber consideration before using it. hospital are about a half mile to the Farm. The redoubt is outlined by south. posts. This ends your tour of the Battlefield Unit. To reach the Old Saratoga Unit (Schuyler 3) American River Fortifications 7) Breymann Redoubt, outlined by posts, House and Saratoga Monument), travel (Bemis Heights) Col. Tadeusz was a single line of breastworks about eight miles north of U.S. 4. Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer 100 yards long and seven to eight feet and volunteer in the patriot cause, high. It guarded the British right flank For Your Safety Please be careful as you directed construction of this powerful as well as the road to Quaker Springs. tour the park. Watch out for stinging position. It proved key to American It was named for Lt. Col. Heinrich insects, especially near the exhibits. strategy against Burgoyne in 1777. Breymann, whose German troops Unpaved trails are rough, and poison ivy Patriot infantry and cannon posted were stationed here. Nearby Boot is common. Always check for ticks after here, supported by batteries along Monument commemorates Benedict walking. Winter visitors: please be alert the near riverbank, closed off the Arnold’s leg wound, received here just to occasional severe weather conditions. Hudson Valley route to Albany and as Americans captured the position. forced the British to attempt to attack the American line at the summit on 8) Burgoyne’s Headquarters The path September 19. here leads to the site of Burgoyne’s

Schuyler House Saratoga Monument Victory Woods

Schuyler House—This estate was the country home of Directions and Open Times and Hours The park entrances Gen. Philip Schuyler both before and after the battles. The are 30 miles north of Albany, N.Y., on U.S. 4 and N.Y. 32. The British burned the original house and its outbuildings to visitor center is open daily except Thanksgiving, December keep Americans from using them for cover during an attack. 25, and January 1. Schuyler House, Saratoga Monument, and The present house, erected in 1777 shortly after Burgoyne’s Neilson House are open seasonally. Call the visitor center for surrender, was the center of Schuyler’s extensive farming and times of operation. The park tour road is open from early April milling operations. to November 30, weather permitting.

Saratoga Monument— This 155-foot memorial, completed in Accessibility The park welcomes service animals and is fully 1883, commemorates Burgoyne’s surrender to Gates on accessible with the following exceptions: The Wilkinson Trail, October 17, 1777. the walkway to the lower area of Stop 10, the second floor of the Schuyler House, and the upper levels of the Saratoga Monument Victory Woods—Cold, damp, weary, half-starved and nearly (an electric lift provides access to the monument’s interior out of ammunition, Burgoyne’s army made their main camp here base level). Note that accessible walkways at Stop 2 and are in the week before their surrender. Visitors can explore the site somewhat steep. on a half-mile, accessible pathway with several interpretive signs.

Saratoga National Historical Park is one of over 390 parks in the For more information National Park System. To learn more about parks and National Saratoga National Historical Park Park Service programs in America’s communities, visit the 648 Route 32 official National Park Service website atwww.nps.gov Stillwater, NY 12170-1604 518-664-9821 ext. 1777 e-mail: [email protected] www.nps.gov/sara