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Battle of Saratoga
The battle took place on the Hudson River in New York State between the British and German Troops against the Americans. The British led by Major General John Burgoyne with 5,000 soldiers including Germans and Indians, meanwhile the Americans where led by Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold and by the end of the battle had forces around 12,000-14,000 soldiers.
Over the winter of 1776 the British Government in London created a plan to send a strong army down the Lake Champlain route from Canada into the heart of the rebellious American Colonies, mostly in New England.
Lord Germaine, the minister in London with direct control of the British army, persuaded King George III to appoint Major General John Burgoyne, known to the troops as “Gentleman Johnnie”, Burgoyne had taken the precaution of returning to London during the winter and secured his command. Burgoyne was directed to take the best regiments down Lake Champlain, capture Fort Ticonderoga, advance to the Hudson River and progress south.
General Burgoyne with 7,700 troops approached Albany, New York, from Canada. Another group of troops, led by Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger, were to join him from Canada. General Howe also was to join him from New York. Together they were to attack the American troops. Unfortunately for Burgoyne, St. Leger's troops ran into Benedict Arnold and his American militia.
At a critical moment in the fighting Burgoyne withdrew his force to his fortified camp above the Hudson River. The next day Burgoyne withdrew his army up the river to the camp they had built at Saratoga. The American army pursued Burgoyne and the British positions. Burgoyne let the last opportunities to retreat north to Ticonderoga go by. A major difficulty in the war was communications between the two British forces. Almost all the messengers attempting to carry messages were caught and hanged by the Americans.
Burgoyne awaited news of Clinton’s advance until 17th October 1777, General Burgoyne attacked for the third time at the Battle of Saratoga. This time Burgoyne and his forces were defeated. He was forced to sign the declaration by which his troops surrendered to Gates, who had by then between 18,000 and 20,000 men. This was a major victory for the American forces and a key turning point in the war.
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