Battles of Saratoga

The Battles of Saratoga were two major military engagements fought in late 1777. These battles occurred near Saratoga, New York, during the American Revolutionary War.

The conflict involved the British Army and the American Continental Army. Historian Edmund Morgan described Saratoga as a "great turning point" of the war. This is because the American victory convinced France to join the war as an ally. This foreign assistance provided the final element needed for an American victory.

The British strategy aimed to divide the Thirteen Colonies. They wanted to isolate New England from the middle and southern colonies. To do this, they planned a three-way pincer movement. One force under Barry St. Leger was to move from Ontario along the Mohawk River. A second force was to move north from New York City up the Hudson River.

The third force was led by General John Burgoyne. He led an invasion army of 7,200 to 8,000 men southward from Canada. His goal was to capture Albany, New York, and meet the other British forces.

Burgoyne's campaign faced many logistical and strategic failures. His progress stalled due to supply difficulties at Fort Edward. He also suffered a loss at the Battle of Bennington in August. During this time, General William Howe moved his army toward Philadelphia instead of moving north. Additionally, St. Leger's expedition turned back after the Siege of Fort Stanwix. These events left Burgoyne's army isolated and surrounded in upstate New York.

The American forces were led by General Horatio Gates. Before the battles, the Continental Army had been in a slow retreat. Gates took command from Major General Philip Schuyler in August 1777. The American ranks grew significantly as patriot militia forces arrived. This growth was partly due to widespread outrage over the death of Jane McCrea. By the time the fighting peaked, the American force totaled about 12,000 men. In contrast, Burgoyne's army totaled only 5,791 men.

To defend their position, the Americans used Bemis Heights. This location offered a clear view of the only road to Albany. A Polish engineer named Tadeusz Kościuszko designed the defensive works. The Americans spent a week constructing these fortifications.

General George Washington also sent aid to the region. He sent Major General Benedict Arnold and the Provisional Rifle Corps. This unit, known as Morgan's Riflemen, consisted of 500 expert sharpshooters. Their presence added significant strength to the American defense.

The first engagement was the Battle of Freeman's Farm on September 19.

Burgoyne attempted to flank the American position on Bemis Heights. Benedict Arnold anticipated this move and placed troops to block it. Although Burgoyne gained the field, the battle resulted in heavy casualties. The British waited for reinforcements that never arrived. Meanwhile, the American militia continued to swell the ranks of the Continental Army.

The second engagement was the Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7.

During this fight, Benedict Arnold rallied the American troops with great spirit. The Americans won a decisive victory and pushed the British back. Burgoyne was forced to retreat to the town of Saratoga. He soon found himself surrounded by a much larger American force. On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to General Gates. This surrender led to the formal creation of the Franco-American Alliance.