[Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR]
The National Park System, of which Saratoga National Historical Park is
a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic
heritage of the United States for the benefit and inspiration of its
people.
_Contents_
_Page_
THE BRITISH PLAN OF 1777 3
THE BURGOYNE CAMPAIGN 4
RETREAT OF THE AMERICANS 6
THE ST. LEGER EXPEDITION 8
THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON 10
THE AMERICAN LINE 11
COMPOSITION OF THE AMERICAN ARMY 12
THE BATTLE OF SEPTEMBER 19 12
THE BATTLE OF OCTOBER 7 19
RETREAT AND SURRENDER 24
GUIDE TO THE PARK 31
The American River Redoubts 31
Site of Fort Neilson 32
The Neilson House 32
American Powder Magazine 33
Freeman's Farm 33
Balcarres Redoubt 33
Breymann Redoubt 34
First Line of Battle, October 7 34
The Gen. Philip Schuyler Property 35
HOW TO REACH THE PARK 35
ABOUT YOUR VISIT 36
ADMINISTRATION 36
SUGGESTED READINGS 36
[Illustration: _Looking east from the site of the Balcarres Redoubt.
The immediate foreground was the scene of desperate fighting in both
battles of Saratoga. Scouts signaled the movements of Burgoyne's
army from Willard Mountain in the left distance._ Courtesy Life
Magazine.]
[Illustration: Benedict Arnold monument]
Few battles in world history have had a more stirring climax than
Saratoga and probably none have had more far-reaching consequences.
Here, a ragged but inspired rebel army convincingly demonstrated its
ability to rise to brilliant victory after absorbing staggering blows.
In dramatic fashion Saratoga not only rescued the colonists from almost
certain defeat, but also pointed significantly to the fate which likely
would befall any enemy force penetrating into the interior of America
and operating independently of the sea.
Abroad, the battles served immeasurably to increase the military
prestige of American arms, while at home they greatly strengthened the
fighting morale and discouraged loyalist opposition. In their broad
aspects the two battles of Saratoga may be considered to mark definitely
the turning point of the American Revolution in that the result brought
to the cause of the hard-pressed colonists the assistance of France,
Spain, and Holland, thereby greatly increasing the probability of
eventually winning independence. To a hesitant, vacillating France
awaiting the opportune moment to strike a telling blow at the British,
Saratoga brought the decision for intervention--a decision which
previous diplomatic negotiations had been unable to obtain. The active
entrance of France into the war in June 1778, provided the financial,
military, and naval support without which the American cause would have
been practically hopeless. Though three more years of fighting were
necessary in order to bring ultimate victory at Yorktown, Saratoga
furnished the physical and psychological impetus which brightened a
desperate cause at a moment when failure would have been disastrous.
Without the success of American arms at Saratoga, it is difficult to see
how the struggle could long have been continued.
Writing of the significance of Saratoga, Sir Edward Creasy, the eminent
English historian, said: "Nor can any military event be said to have
exercised more important influence upon the future fortunes of mankind,
than the complete defeat of Burgoyne's expedition in 1777; a defeat
which rescued the revolted colonists from certain subjection; and which,
by inducing the Courts of France and Spain to attack England in their
behalf, insured the independence of the United States, and the formation
of that transatlantic power which not only America, but both Europe and
Asia, now see and feel."
[Illustration: American Flag]
[Illustration: THE BURGOYNE EXPEDITION
CANADA TO SARATOGA, 1777]
June 17--Burgoyne leaves St. Johns
June 20--Rendezvous of British Army
June 21--Conference with the Indians
June 25--The British land at Crown Point
July 6--Ticonderoga falls
July 7--Fraser defeats the Americans
July 7--Burgoyne arrives at Skenesboro
July 26--The British reach Fort Ann
July 30--Burgoyne arrives at Fort Edward
Sept. 13--Burgoyne crosses Hudson to Saratoga
Aug. 16--Battle of Bennington
THE BRITISH PLAN FOR CAMPAIGN OF 1777 WAS TO DIVIDE THE REBELLIOUS
AMERICAN COLONIES BY OCCUPYING THE STRATEGIC LINE OF THE HUDSON RIVER
AND LAKES GEORGE AND CHAMPLAIN. A BRITISH WEDGE FROM CANADA TO THE
ATLANTIC WOULD ENABLE EASY CONQUEST OF AMERICA.