Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and was fought in late 1777. It was actually two battles: the Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19^[1]) and the Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7^[2]). The Americans were led by General Horatio Gates. The British were led by General John Burgoyne.

A painting of the surrender of General Burgoyne

On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered his army of nearly 6,000 British soldiers. The American victory helped made France decide to come to the aid of the Continental Army and to recognize the United States.

Prelude

In early 1777, General William Howe asked London to approve his plan to attack Philadelphia to destroy the rebellious American government.^[3] In Canada, General John Burgoyne submitted a plan to move down through New York and meet Howe at Albany. This would divide the colonies. London approved both plans.^[3] Burgoyne began moving down the Hudson Valley from Canada. He split his force into two columns. One, under Colonel Barry St. Leger, moved east from Lake Ontario down the Mohawk Valley and attacked the Americans at Fort Stanwix. The Americans sent two parties to relieve the fort. The second, commanded by Benedict Arnold, drove the British away from the fort. St. Leger's column retreated to Lake Ontario. Burgoyne continued south with his own column of about 7,000 British and Hessian soldiers.^[4] He was joined by about 500 Native Americans, who were allied to the British.^[4]

Burgoyne made a proclamation to his Indians to go out and strike at the enemy.^[4] He added that women and children or any who did not oppose them should not be killed. However, Natives still killed men, women, and children.^[4] One famous incident upset the colonists. A young woman, named Jane McCrea, was engaged to marry one of Burgoyne's young officers. Natives bringing her to Burgoyne fought over, killed, and scalped her. Burgoyne failed to punish the Native who had killed her, which proved that he could not even protect friendly colonists.

Newspapers in the colonies spread the story. As a result, many Americans who had been neutral took up arms against the British.^[5] The story even reached England. In the House of Commons, Edmund Burke spoke out against the British policy of using Native American allies.^[6]

Battle of Freeman's Farm

Howe had captured Philadelphia but had taken so long that he did not send any forces north to support Burgoyne.^[3] On September 19, Burgoyne attacked the Americans who were entrenched on Bemis Heights, near Saratoga.^[7]

He again fought Americans at Freeman's Farm, who were riflemen under the command of Daniel Morgan. The marksman killed a large number of British and Hessian officers^[7] to cause confusion among the British forces.

Burgoyne lost about 600 casualties. He claimed victory although he was still held in place by the Americans.

Battle of Bemis Heights

Burgoyne tried to attack the Americans again on October 7.^[7] However, the Americans held out against him. A counterattack led by Benedict Arnold pushed the British back further until they finally retreated to Saratoga.^[7] The battle cost Burgoyne another 600 casualties. The American losses were less than 150.^[7] Burgoyne's army was now surrounded by a much larger and growing American army.

On October 13, 1777 Burgoyne asked for a ceasefire. Horatio Gates, the American commander, asked for Burgoyne's surrender. However, Burgoyne stalled and did not give an answer. The terms that were offered by Gates were harsh.^[8]

British surrender

Finally, Gates offered better terms. On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered his whole army of 5,752.^[8] He gave up 42 cannons, 7,000 muskets and all his supplies.

Officers were separated from their men and placed on parole. Unlike their men, they were allowed to keep their pistols. Gates invited Burgoyne to dine with him. The two men were friendly and toasted each other's leader.^[8] The British and Hessian soldiers were marched to Boston.

According to the agreement, they were to return to England on their promise not to fight again. While some returned to England, the Continental Congress changed the terms. Many were sent to prisons in the colonies to wait out the war.^[7]