Burgoyne Surrenders at Saratoga
On October 17, 1777, British General Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga – one of the major American victories of the American Revolution.
After the first two years of fighting, the British changed their strategy. Rather than trying to conquer the New England colonies, they planned to separate them from what they considered to be the more loyal middle and southern colonies. British General John Burgoyne believed New York’s Hudson River Valley was the perfect route for an invasion and developed a three-prong attack.
Burgoyne departed Canada on June 13, 1777 and by August his forces had captured Fort Ticonderoga and defeated the Americans at Hubbardton, Vermont. But the American victory at the Battle of Bennington cost him 1,000 soldiers and the support of his Native American allies. In September, Burgoyne continued his march south, with his supplies floating down the Hudson on boats. At the same time, Horatio Gates and his American troops began constructing defenses at Bemis Heights, a series of bluffs overlooking the Hudson and the road Burgoyne was marching down.
Around noon on September 19, Burgoyne’s center column encountered Colonel Daniel Morgan’s American light infantry at John Freeman’s Farm. The fighting broke out immediately and throughout the course of the afternoon, each side took and lost the field several times. When Burgoyne ordered a detachment of 500 German troops to his aid, the Americans abandoned the field, leaving it in British control.
Days later Burgoyne received word that General Henry Clinton could send additional troops from New York City, so he ordered his men to dig in and wait for their arrival. By early October Clinton had captured a few American forts along the way, but was called back to New York City, unable to assist Burgoyne. As his army grew short on supplies, time and manpower, Burgoyne sent out a 1,500-man reconnaissance force on October 7, to attack the American left. As the men stopped in Barber Wheatfield to harvest the much-needed food, they were discovered by American troops. The 13,000-man American army attacked and surrounded the British troop, forcing them to abandon their defensive position.
With few options, Burgoyne and his men packed whatever supplies they could and quickly retreated north. When they reached the village of Saratoga, they found themselves almost entirely surrounded and set up a fortified camp. Within two days they were completely surrounded. Negotiations went on for a week until October 17, when Burgoyne surrendered to Gates.
The surrender was a tremendous victory for America, often considered the turning point of the war. It proved that American troops could battle a European army on their own terms and win. The battle also convinced France, Spain, and the Netherlands to fully support the American cause and declare war against England. The American Revolution was now a “world war” and the British would see battle in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Africa, South Africa, and India.
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These daily history notes are compelling and ,in my case, informative Great job If my history classes were this interesting I may have remembered them. ;).
Did not know all these facts. It’s amazing that so many countries were against the British empire.
Thanks Mystic for these very special historical vignettes. We forget how significant these events were at the time. It was no sure thing all along that the newly declared United States would win over Great Britain.
Appreciate all the details given in the article, made history come to life. Learned alot I didn’t know about the start of the American Revolution.
Thanks
This Day in History is really enjoyable. Whether it’s new information or just a refresher, it’s a reminder why I started collecting stamps some 60 years ago.
Good show. A “world war” against the British!
My 3rd great grandfather was a Lieutenant in the 1st NH at was at the surrender of Burgoyne on that October day. The British went South from that point in the struggle for independence. Today, I am a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution and herald those historic events.
I read almost all of these and really enjoy the information
I enjoy these lessons in history very much. They are concise, informative, and to the point. Keep them coming!
Excellent historical read! Enhances the enjoyment of collecting.
I have found the historic posting very informative and interesting. They add an additional depth to
my knowledge of stamps and the related historic background. Thank you Mystic Stamp Company.
This description of the British campaign of 1777 and the battle of Saratoga completely overlooks and ignores the important role of Benedict Arnold in the American victory. The Saratoga cemetery has the curious “boot Monument.” It memorializes the heroic role of Arnold in the campaign and battle without mention his name because of his later treason.
Thank you for this very interesting story of our history!
I really enjoy reading the History of each stamp.
Every day is a learning experience, thanks for the
historical events.
Enjoy the illustrated History lessons. This daily information should be posted in every school room (Kindergarden thru 12) to better make the generations to come know about the “nuts and bolts” of whast made this county a beracon unto the world.
My middle name is BURGOYNE and, yes, I am a direct relative. My dad was born in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. His mother was a BURGOYNE. He was a Sr., I’m the Jr. If you are interested, investigate this … one of the six main paintings in the rotunda of the US Capitol is BURGOYNE’s surrender to Washington and the document of surrender is in permanent display at the Library of Congress.