SARATOGA, BATTLES OF. The plan of campaign for the British in America in 1777 sought to isolate New England by occupying the Hudson valley. Burgoyne, the author of the plan, coming down from Canada via Lakes Champlain and George, was to meet Howe, marching up from New York, at Albany. A third, but much smaller force, under St. Leger, was to advance from Oswego down the Mohawk valley and join the other two columns. The plan failed because Howe, the British commander-in-chief, marched on Philadelphia—Germaine, the secretary of State, hav ing failed to give him definite instructions. Burgoyne, with about 8,000 men, including seven regiments of British regulars and 3,000 Germans, reached Ticonderoga (July I), which was evacuated by its weak garrison (July 6). He reassembled his army after the pursuit at Skenesborough and marched through the woods and swamps to Fort Edward, which was evacuated by the American commander, Schuyler, who retreated across the Hudson to Still water, 3o m. above Albany (July 31). The march was most laborious, involving the construction of 4o bridges, and necessi tated a long halt at Fort Edward. Burgoyne should have taken his army back to Ticonderoga, and transferred it to Fort George, where a direct road led to Fort Edward. Had he taken this route, it is reckoned that he might have reached Albany by the i6th.
A German detachment, on the advice of "Colonel" Skene, who was also responsible for the recent march, was sent to Bennington to seize horses and supplies, but was surrounded and almost annihilated by the Green Mountain Militia, under John Stark (Aug. 16). Burgoyne now became uneasy; he had left nearly 1,000 men to garrison Ticonderoga; he had heard from Howe of his intention to invade Pennsylvania; and St. Leger was held up before Fort Stanwix (actually St. Leger retreated Aug. 22). But
he considered himself bound by his orders to press on to Albany. Having collected 3o days' rations, he crossed the Hudson (Sept. 13) and encamped near Saratoga. The Englishman, Gates, who had displaced Schuyler in command (Aug. 19), was encamped 4 m. away, on Bemis's Heights, with 12,000 men and was daily receiv ing reinforcemehts. Burgoyne advanced to the attack (Sept. 19). But Arnold came out with 3,00o men to meet him at Freeman's Farm. After 4 hours' fierce fighting Arnold retired, and Burgoyne encamped en the battlefield, but he had lost over 500 men, includ ing a large number of officers, victims of Morgan's sharpshooters. Burgoyne heard (Sept. 21) from Clinton, who had been left in command at New York, that he was about to make a diversion up the Hudson. He sent a despatch to Clinton (Sept. 27) asking for orders. The answer was never received. Clinton started with a small force (Oct. 3) and captured two forts on the west bank, but he never had any intention of penetrating to Albany.
Burgoyne had now under 5,000 "effectives" left, and his supplies were running short. He reckoned that they might last till the loth. He led out 1,5oo men on reconnaissance (Oct. 7), but the Americans made a fierce counter-attack, and led by Arnold, in flicted a severe defeat upon the British army. Next day Burgoyne began his retreat, but Gates, with 20,000 men, surrounded him at Saratoga. Burgoyne opened negotiations on the 14th and the Con vention of Saratoga was signed (Oct. i7), Burgoyne insisting that it was not a capitulation, and finding a precedent in the Seven Years' War.
See F. J. Hudleston, Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne (1928).