8-090 Battle of Saratoga II

Lead: The Battle of Saratoga, a victory for the American rebels, not only served as a turning point in the Revolution but also transformed the diplomatic landscape.

Intro: A Moment In Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: In the summer of 1777, British forces, led by General John Burgoyne, marched southward from Quebec along the Hudson River seeking to capture Albany, New York, seize control of the Hudson River, and thereby cut New England off from the south. It was bold move.

Burgoyne's plan failed, however, due to supply problems. Unable to secure supplies from the countryside, he had to haul all his provisions, arms and ammunition with him. This meant slow going and gave the Americans time to lay a trap on the Bemis plateau north of Albany. Burgoyne also did not receive promised help from British armies in and around New York. He was on his own when on September 19th he encountered a comparable America force, about 6,000 men, under General Horatio Gates. The ensuing conflict, the Battle of Freeman's Farm or First Saratoga, was indecisive but ominously the British casualty rate was twice as high as that of the rebels.

Instead of retreating to Canada, on October 7th Burgoyne tried to break through again and this time was shellacked at Bemis Heights by forces led by Benedict Arnold. Burgoyne then retreated northward to present day Schuylerville where he was surrounded by 17,000 rebels and forced to surrender on October 17, 1777. The two battles have taken the name Saratoga because it was the venue of surrender. The battles' diplomatic consequences were even greater than their military value. This first major rebel battlefield victory convinced the French to recognize the fledgling American republic and aid in the cause of independence.

Research assistance by Ann H. Johnson and David Kociuruba. The producer of A Moment In Time is Steve Clark. At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

Resources

Devine, Robert A., et al. America Past and Present. New York: Longman, Inc., 1998.

"Saratoga, Battles of" Encyclopedia Britannica Online http://www.britannica.com.

"Saratoga, Battles of" Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2002 http://encarta.msn.com

Troiani, Don. "Battles of the Revolution: Saratoga," American Heritage, December 1975.

Wood, William J. and John S. D. Eisenhower, eds. Battles of the Revolutionary War, 1775-1781. New York: Da Capo Press, 1995.

Copyright 2009 by Broadcast Partners, LLC

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• amit
• DanRoberts
• amomentintime
• history
• universityofrichmond

[sdclecoop]

Burgoyne was left hanging by General Howe. Howe was the arrogant one.

[TheShaneRockey]

@james210799burgoyne Haha no your not. He died like 200 years ago

[planetrockford]

The credits are almost as long as the documentary lol. It was good regardless and some interesting comments.

[engliscwarrior]

@pigsdofly6 Not really, he was certainly an idiot for not retreating when he had the chance, but Burgoyne was a very capable commander; just getting his army that far was a significant feat. He took the supposedly impregnable fortress of Ticonderoga, and advanced hundreds of miles of inhospitable, hostile territory. He took on an army that outnumbered him 3 to 1 and almost succeeded, he was unlucky, and received very little support from Clinton, who was the real idiot

[james210799burgoyne]

Im burgoyne so f u

[pigsdofly6]

This video makes the British leadership look a lot more competent than it actually was. Burgoyne was an arrogant fool.

[Adawg4008]

nice camera you got there

[1mudfish]

My Four Great Grandfather, Private Samuel King, was one of Col Morgan's Riflemen in the 11th Virginia Regiment. He was captured in the Battle of Freeman's Farm. However, he escaped and rejoined Morgan's men at Valley Forge in the harsh winter of 1778. Morgan had a brilliant military mind, and later planed and executed the decisive battle of Cowpens.

[LOSTmetaldetecting]

@siblilngs101

I agree, You are referring to Daniel Morgan and his Sharpshooters (Riflemen). Not only did they disrupt Burgoyne on his March prior to the Battles, but also, Timothy Murphy (one of Morgan's Riflemen), was creditted with the sniper shot (I beleieve 300 yds) that killed Brittish General Frasier, which a crushing blow to Burgoyne, because he was his right-hand man. Col. Morgan, later to be promoted to Brig Gen. was probalbly the most important key to the Rebel Victory at Saratoga.

[estellaf99]

good,