The Battle of Saratoga

By: Emily Abbott and Aleciea Clary

September 19, 1777

Begun

Ended

October 7, 1777

“Battle of Saratoga Definition: The Battles of Saratoga were a series of military conflicts fought during September and October 1777 between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The battlefield in which the British and American Forces fought during the Battles of Saratoga were located near Albany in Saratoga County, New York. The Battles of Saratoga ended in victory for the American colonists. The earlier Siege of Fort Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany together with the Battle of Bennington were also part of the Saratoga campaign. The names of the conflicts detailed in this article on the Battles of Saratoga include the Battle of Freeman's Farm that took place on September 19, 1777 and the Battle of Bemis Heights that took place on October 7, 1777.”

Battle #1Burgoyne again began his advance south, but was stopped about 10 miles below Saratoga. The first battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman's Farm, took place on September 19, 1777. A militia of sharpshooters from Virginia harassed the British, while other colonist forces aggressively charged into battle with them. Burgoyne lost two men for every one on the American side.

Battle #2

The second battle, the Battle of Bemis Heights, occurred on October 7th, when Burgoyne determined to break free from the encircling colonial forces and drive them from the field. The British troops and their German allies were devastated, and nearly lost their entrenched positions. Fighting on horseback, Benedict Arnold, received a wound in his leg during this battle; his contribution to the battle is commemorated by a statue of his boot, with no other reference to the hero turned traitor.

Victory!

This defeat at Bemis Heights forced Burgoyne to withdraw north to camps in and around the present Village of Schuylerville. Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777, in what would later be named Victory NY, where the Saratoga Monument memorializes that important day.

Disgraced, Burgoyne returned to England, and was never given another command. These crucial colonist victories at the Battle of Saratoga persuaded the French to support the Americans with military aid, and is considered the major turning point in the American Revolution.

Battle of Saratoga American Colonies British Forces

Number of men killed in 90 440The battle of Saratoga :

Number of men wounded : 240 695

Number of men captured : 0 6222

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Sources https://www.landofthebrave.info/battle-of-saratoga.htm

http://www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/battle-of-saratoga/

www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga

http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/battle-of-saratoga/

http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2014/01/burgoyne-surrenders-to-gates.jpg