Battle+of+Saratoga

=The Battle of Saratoga=

Burgoyne surrendering to the Americans The Battle of Saratoga was considered to be the major turning point of the American Revolution. The Americans previously had bad luck during the war and this was a major turnaround for them. This battle proved to everybody that the American army was a good fighting force that was able to defeat the highly trained British army. Because of Americas’ success in the battle, European powers, particularly the French, took interest in the Americans and began to help and support them.

In the British campaign of 1777, General Burgoyne planned for three columns, lines of soldiers, to meet in Albany, New York. He led the main column, which moved southward along the Hudson River. A second column under General Barry St. Leger served as a diversionary attack, moving in east from Canada. According to their plan, General Clinton, under the direction of Howe, would go north up the Hudson River to meet Burgoyne in Albany. They hoped to isolate and defeat the continental forces of New England.

The British had 6,500 men when they arrived at Saratoga. The British wore red coats and headgear of bearskin caps or leather caps.

The first Battle of Saratoga was fought on September 19, 1777. During this battle the American forces lost ground to the British forces that were lead by General Burgoyne. Disagreements within the American army led to a huge argument between General Gates and Arnold. As a result, Gates relieved Arnold of command.

The second Battle of Saratoga was the Battle of Bemis Heights that took place on October 7, 1777. Gates’ defensive plan insured a tactical victory for the Patriots. However Arnold saw an opportunity to get on the offensive while Burgoyne was vulnerable. He then led a counter attack. This wounded them very badly. Burgoyne lost 89% of his expeditionary force and the British forces surrendered days later.

​British and Americans fighting in the Battle of Saratoga =Work Cited:= []

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//Battle of Saratoga// Department Of Military, 9 Oct. 2006. Web. 3 Dec. 2009

//The Battle of Saratoga// National Historical Park, 1999. Web. 3 Dec. 2009.

//The Revolutionary War//. Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press, 1991. N. pag. Print.