Battle of Saratoga

The Battles of Saratoga

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.

The Battles of Saratoga - The Plan of General John Burgoyne

Following the Battle of Princeton on January 03, 1777 the British army under General Howe and Lord Cornwallis
abandoned nearly all their posts in New Jersey and positioned themselves in New York state. General Burgoyne was
given command of the British forces charged with gaining control of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River valley. General
John Burgoyne planned to cross Lake Champlain from Quebec and capture Ticonderoga before advancing on Albany,
New York where he would rendezvous with the British forces under General Howe coming north from New York City and
a smaller force advancing from the Mohawk River valley under Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger thus dividing the
colonies of New England from the southern colonies. The plan faltered when:

St. Leger was forced to withdraw to Canada following the Siege of Fort Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany
The British defeat at the Battle of Bennington and their failure to gain new supplies and horses
The Continental Army, led by George Washington, prevented General Howe from joining forces with General
Burgoyne
General George Washington realized that a major battle was imminent and called for any Militia to join the
Continental Army in New York that resulted in a large contingent of regular troops and militia gathered in the Saratoga
area

The Battles of Saratoga - Overview and Summary of the Battle of Freeman's Farm
The first crucial battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman's Farm, took place on September 19, 1777. General John
Burgoyne had begun his advance south, but was stopped about 10 miles below Saratoga fighting occurred in a clearing
known as Freeman’s Farm. A militia of sharpshooters from Virginia, under Daniel Morgan, harassed the British. Burgoyne
lost two men for every one on the American side but were saved by the arrival of German Hessian forces under Riedesel.
The German Hessians were therefore instrumental in the British victory at the Battle of Freeman's Farm.

The Battles of Saratoga - Overview and Summary of the Battle of Bemis Heights
The second crucial battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Bemis Heights, occurred on October 7, 1777. Following the initial
battle at Freeman’s Farm, the American forces of led by Horatio Gates were positioned in their fortification on Bemis
Heights which was located nine miles south of Saratoga. Bemis Heights stood above the road that General John
Burgoyne and his British army needed to follow to reach Albany. The British forces tried to push through the American line
on Bemis Heights. Uncharacteristically, the Americans took the fight to the enemy and successfully assaulted the British
line, forcing them into a retreat toward Saratoga. The defeat at Bemis Heights forced General John Burgoyne to surrender
ten days later on October 17, 1777. Burgoyne surrendered 6222 men. Burgoyne returned to England in disgrace, and was
never given another command.

The Importance and Significance of the Battle of Saratoga

Significance of the Battle of Saratoga: The significance of the conflict was that it proved to be the turning point of
Revolutionary war and convinced the French of American strength which persuaded the French to support the Americans
with military aid. The combined French and American forces achieved their first victory at the Battle of Monmouth.

Facts about the Battle of Saratoga

Facts about who fought in the Battle of Saratoga and who were the leaders of the conflict. Facts about where the Battle of
Saratoga was fought, the location of the battlefield. Facts and stats about the number of troops involved in the conflict and
the numbers of those who were killed, wounded, missing in action or captured. Interesting history and facts about the
Battle of Saratoga:

Fast Facts about the Battle of Saratoga

Name of Conflict: Battle of Saratoga included 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.

Result of the Battle of Saratoga: The Battles of Saratoga ended in victory for the Americans

Location of Saratoga Battlefield: The battlefield was located in Saratoga County, New York

Date of the Battle of Saratoga: September 19, 1777 and October 7, 1777

Combatants of the Battle of The British Army, and German Hessians fought against the Americans
Saratoga:

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Battle of Saratoga American Colonies British Forces

Names of Leaders & Benedict Arnold General John Burgoyne
Commanders: Daniel Morgan Simon Fraser
Horatio Gates F.A. Riedesel
Benjamin Lincoln Johann Specht
Enoch Poor Wilhelm R. von Gall
Ebenezer Learned

Saratoga Strength of Forces: 9000 - Battle of Freeman's Farm 7200 - Battle of Freeman's Farm
12000 - Battle of Bemis Heights 6600 - Battle of Bemis Heights

Number of men killed in the Battle 90 440

of Saratoga:

Number of men wounded: 240 695

Number of men captured: 0 6222

The following picture represents some of the early designs of the American flag. The idea of flying a flag grew
from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield and used as a rallying point for troops.

American Revolutionary war - The Battle of Saratoga

The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), which included the Battle of Saratoga, was the culmination of the political
American Revolution, in which many of the American colonists rejected the legitimacy of the British Parliament to govern
the 13 colonies without representation.
 Battles in the Revolutionary War - Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Quebec, Battle of Cowpens & Moonlight Battle

The Battle of Saratoga

The year and date of the Battle of Saratoga

Facts, stats and history of the Battle of Saratoga

Fast Facts and info about the Battle of Saratoga and the Revolutionary War

A great history resource for kids

Social Studies Homework help for kids on the Battle of Saratoga

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