Burgoyne had a successful start against the Americans. On July 6, 1777, he helped to recapture Fort Ticonderoga in New York without a struggle from the Americans. Another British force marched up the Mohawk River Valley led by Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger, to meet Burgoyne and his men. In the battle of Oriskany, St. Leger and his men ambushed American militiamen to beat back the American forces.
As Burgoyne marched his men south, the Americans destroyed bridges and chopped down trees to block Burgoyne's path and slow the British down. From the woods, Americans with rifles fired on the British soldiers. Burgoyne started to run short on food and supplies. In August of 1777, the US Congress appointed Major General Horatio Gates to lead the Northern Department of the Continental Army.
Burgoyne moved slowly through the wilderness along the Hudson river. His slow progress gave the Americans time to set up a fort in a wooded area along the Hudson about 40 miles north of Albany. On September 19, 1777, British troops attacked the American's setup. They were met by American forces in a clearing on a nearby farm. Nightfall and the bravery of Hessian (German mercenaries hired by King George) soldiers saved the troops from destruction in the battle known as the First Battle of Freeman's Farm.
Although American forces greatly outnumbered his army, Burgoyne decided not to retreat to Canada. On October 7, 1777, Burgoyne attacked again. American General Benedict Arnold's leadership won the Second Battle of Freeman's Farm for the Americans. On October 17, Burgoyne finally surrendered to Gates. The Americans took about 6,000 prisoners as well as large amounts of supplies. Roughly, the British lost about 1,200 casualties and the Americans only suffered about 400.
The victory at Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolution for the Americans. It stressed the British lack of strategy. More importantly, the victory helped to convince France that it could safely enter the war on the American's side.
Return to Blue Darter's Guide to the American Revolution
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