Battle+of+Saratoga



The Battle of Saratoga was just one of many battles that occurred during America’s Revolutionary War. It happened in September and October of 1777 in Saratoga, New York on the Hudson River. On the American side, the leader was General Horatio Gates, and for the British it was General John Burgoyne. The Battle of Saratoga is considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War because of the surrender of Burgoyne’s army.



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**__ The Battle of Freeman’s Farm __** ** The first battle in the Battle of Saratoga was Freeman’s Farm. It started on September 19, 1777. General Burgoyne noticed the Americans were on the west side of the Hudson River. So Burgoyne crossed the river ten miles north of the American position, and spent the next two days marching slowly down the river in three columns. The center column, commanded by General James Hamilton, followed the rough road south. Baron von Riedesel commanded the left column following the river. General Simon Fraser had the right hand column in the woods. The army only managed to travel six miles in two days. **

** On September 18, some Americans attacked British foragers, telling Burgoyne around the area of Gates' location. Burgoyne decided on a three pronged attack. The largest force, of 2000 men, commanded by General Fraser, was trying to outnumber the Americans left. Then, 1100 men under rule of General Hamilton, with the British army, were to win over the American forces until Fraser could hit them from the back. **

** At 10 in the morning on September 19th, a cannon was fired to signal the start of the British advance. Both side kept on fighting with each other. Finally, as evening drew in, the British position was saved by the arrival of Riedesel. Arnold was forced to back down and the British held the battlefield. **

** However, they had many hurt soldiers, by losing 556 of them by being killed and wounded, which was half of Hamilton's force. The Americans had also suffered heavily, but they were able to replace their losses, and survive over the next few weeks. Burgoyne thought that a British attack on the next day would have defeated the Americans, but his own army was in too poor a condition to have such an attack. Burgoyne then delayed a second attack because he heard that Clinton was launching an attack up the Hudson from New York. By the time Burgoyne was ready to attack again, the moment had been lost. **

**__ The Battle of Bemis Heights __** ** After the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, both Burgoyne and Gates began to strengthen their defensive lines. Gates’ army received their reinforcements. Meanwhile, General Henry Clinton never showed up with the promised reinforcements for Burgoyne’s defense. On October 7, Burgoyne launched a delayed attack on the Americans’ position at Bemis Heights. General Simon Fraser led the British into the first part of the battle happening near Mill’s Creek. Luckily, the Americans were ready for this attack. General Balcarre never got Burgoyne’s message to retreat because the messenger was killed. The British were forced to reorganize at Freeman’s Farm. **

** The second part of the battle began when General Arnold of the American side led an attack. The Americans took the British fort from the rear. Burgoyne was forced to retreat. On October 17, Burgoyne formally surrendered to Gates. Wanting to show the British the fairness Americans had, Gates told them if they laid down their arms and returned to England, they could go home as free men. This did not work out though, and the Continental Congress sent the soldiers to prison camps. **

**__ EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA __** ** The effect of Gate’s victory was enormous. Gates became known as the “Hero of Saratoga.” France and Spain saw that that America had more potential and power than Britain, and joined the war for the American side. The British government was weakened because of the loss in the battle. The Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point in the Revolutionary War, greatly helping the Americans on their way to independence. **




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