One of the most decisive and epic battles of the American Revolution was the battle of Saratoga, New York. The battle was actually two battles, Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights, and several skirmishes in the same general area of upstate New York fought in the fall of 1777.
The British under John Burgoyne had invaded New York from Quebec in 1777. The goal of this invasion was to cut the Colonies in two, isolating New England from the South. Burgoyne was called “Gentleman Johnny” because of his manners. He was a brilliant, young British general who had fought in Europe during the Seven Years War. However, there was a very critical difference between warfare in Europe and warfare in the American wilderness and Burgoyne was not necessarily the one to always understand this difference. He had taken Fort Ticonderoga in the summer but had been faced with problems moving his troops and supplies through the inhospitable New York wilderness. The Americans meanwhile were convening in large numbers. They were put under the leadership of Horatio Gates.
The first major battle around Saratoga occurred in September at Freeman’s Farm. In this battle Daniel Morgan’s sharpshooters fought Burgoyne’s troops as they advanced towards a farm owned by a Loyalist named Freeman. Eventually Morgan’s troops retreated and the British controlled Freeman’s Farm.
The second half of the campaign was fought at Bemis Heights in October. The British were attacked by the Americans and a terrible fight ensued. The Americans stormed a British redoubt that was defended by troops under Hessian general Heinrich Von Breymann. During the fight for Breymann’s Redoubt American General Benedict Arnold rode recklessly into the fray and led the Americans to victory. He was shot in the leg and wounded during the charge.
Burgoyne attempted to retreat to Saratoga and was consistently harassed by the Colonists during the march. Eventually he was forced to surrender his entire army to General Horatio Gates. The American victory at Saratoga was enough to draw France and Spain into the conflict in support of the Colonists. This would prove to be the most decisive blow to the British.