The Battle of Saratoga
Turning Point of the Revolution
The Battle of Saratoga lasted for approximately one month (September 19 – October 17, 1777) and included skirmishes in different locations. Two pivotal battles—September 19th and October 7th, are most commonly thought of as “The Battle of Saratoga.”
In the Fall of 1777, under the direction of General John Burgoyne, the British launched a three-pronged offensive designed to overwhelm, isolate and destroy the Continental Army in New England. Burgoyne would lead the main attack, heading south down the Hudson River. At the same time, General Barry St. Leger would take his army east from Canada along the Mohawk River to serve as a diversion. General William Howe was responsible for the third element of the attack—he was to unite forces with General Henry Clinton in New York City and head northward along the Hudson River. Ultimately, the three armies would meet in Albany to finish off the Continental Army.
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At first the plan appeared to be working. Burgoyne’s men captured Fort Ticonderoga without difficulty and moved along the Hudson River with ease. Meanwhile the Americans fell for St. Leger’s diversion and sent Major General Benedict Arnold with a detachment of 1,000 men to engage him along the Mohawk River. However, when Burgoyne reached American fortifications at Saratoga and Bemis Heights, his supplies were running low and the morale of his troops began to falter.
September 19, 1777: Battle at Freeman’s Farm
Burgoyne’s army of 7,500 men clashed with Americans soldiers at John Freeman’s Farm near the small village of Saratoga, New York. Led by General Horatio Gates the Americans numbered 8,500 men (including Colonel Daniel Morgan’s 500 elite Virginian riflemen and Benedict Arnold’s army who had just completed its mission on the Mohawk). Sheer numbers should have given the Continental Army the advantage, but disagreements in tactics and personality issues between Gates and Arnold caused trouble. Eventually, Gates relieved Arnold of his duty and continued the battle.
The redcoats and colonists engaged in a back-and-forth struggle that lasted all day. Control of the battlefield changed hands several times. Late in the afternoon, Burgoyne’s men received help from a battalion of fresh German troops and the fighting continued. At the end of the day both sides claimed victory. Burgoyne had control on the battle field, but Gates maintained his blockade of the road to Albany.
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, although some are constructed of stone or brick.
During the next two weeks Burgoyne fortified his position (Balcarres Redoubt), while his German allies barricaded themselves in 200 yards away (Breymann Redoubt). In trouble, Burgoyne had sent word to both St. Leger and Howe requesting supplies and reinforcement. Now he was determined to hunker down and wait. Though the strategy gave his men some time to recuperate, it also allowed the American army time to grow to 13,000.
October 7, 1777:
Battle of Bemis Heights
Whether they didn’t receive the message, or were frustrated at Burgoyne’s changing orders, neither St. Leger nor Howe supplied the requested help. After two weeks of waiting, Burgoyne had no choice but to take the offensive. Leaving their fortifications at Freeman’s Farm, Burgoyne’s army headed towards the Americans at Bemis Heights on October 7, 1777.
General Gates organized a counter attack that sent Morgan’s Rifle Corps to attack from the west, Enoch Poor’s Brigade to hit from the east, while Ebenezer Learned lead his men straight up the center of the British line.
Though the Americans broke through enemy lines repeatedly, British commanders were able to rally their troops each time and reestablish their line. Finally, Arnold, despite his earlier dismissal by Gates, saw an opportunity and took charge of Learned’s brigade. Leading from horseback, he plunged his men right into the center of the British army. Overwhelmed, the redcoats retreated to Freeman’s Farm. Arnold pursued the German division to Breymann Redoubt where, despite being wounded, he led his men to overwhelm and capture them. Alone, Burgoyne’s army withdrew to Balcarres Redoubt for protection.
Major General Benedict Arnold charges the British.
General Horatio Gates
The British Surrender
Early one morning Burgoyne’s men tried to escape to the north but didn’t get very far. An American assault combined with heavy rain forced them back to their stronghold. Cold, hungry and exhausted, the British dug in and defended themselves for a few more days before they were surrounded. They continued to hold out until finally, on October 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered giving the Americans a most decisive victory.
Why It Mattered
The defeat was a devastating blow to the British. Not only did it inspire the beleaguered rebel forces, but it convinced the rest of the world that the Continental Army was capable of head-to-head combat with the British. As enemies of Britain, the French had quietly cheered for the Americans. They had secretly been sending supplies to the Continental Army. However, until the victory at Saratoga, they did not believe the colonists were a serious threat to the most powerful nation at the time. Now the world had to take notice. The French officially endorsed the American cause increasing their support in the form of money, credit, supplies and most importantly manpower—including soldiers and the French Navy. Emboldened by France’s example, the Spanish Empire and the Dutch Republic followed suit, leaving Britain without allies.
Thanksgiving
The war was by no means over, but the tide was beginning to shift in a way that could only be explained as a miracle. God was watching over the colonists and they felt it.
In response to the miraculous victory, the Continental Congress recommended that the colonies observe "a day of thanksgiving" on December 18, 1777.
As Commander in Chief, General George Washington responded by issuing General Orders to the entire Continental Army instructing them to join in the observance saying:
General George Washington
issued "General Orders" to
the Continental Army with instructions for observing
a day of thanksgiving and praising God.
“…In some instances we unfortunately failed, yet upon the whole Heaven hath smiled on our Arms and crowned them with signal success; and we may upon the best grounds conclude, that by a spirited continuance of the measures necessary for our defence we shall finally obtain the end of our Warfare—Independence—Liberty and Peace—These are blessings worth contending for at every hazard—But we hazard nothing...
“Tomorrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public Thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutely to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us—The General directs that the army remain in it’s present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and brigades—And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensibly necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day."