SARATOGA, BATTLE OF, was fought at a critical period of the America., revolution. Gen. Burgoyne. having captured fort Ticonderoga in July, 1777, was pursui rg gen. Schuy ler in his retreat from fort Edward, intending to force his way to the navigable wnters of the Hudson. Gen. Gates on taking command of the American forces had forthwith moved his army back to Stillwater. Sept. 14 Burgoyne crossed the Hudson, arch took position on the heights overlooking the American camp. On the 19th he advanced his right wing upon the Americans. He was promptly resisted by gen. Arnold with Morgan's sharp-shooting riflemen. A severe encounter ensued and continued for many hours, till night compelled a cessation. The Americans retired having lost 300 men. The British lest 500 men, but held the field. Both armies rested in their fortified camps, neither being anxious for a general battle. Oct. 7, Burgoyne, having vainly wailed for promised. re-enforeements from the British forces near New York, renewed the con test, leading forth his best battalions with the grenadiers and artillery. His left wing was opposed by the Americans under gen. Poor; Arnold also, with impetuous daring, led his men into a hand-to-hand combat. The batteries were repeatedly taken and retaken, till the British, by their own captured artillery, were driven from the field. Gen. Morgan was equally victorious over Burgoyne's right wing, whose valiant leader, gen. Fraser, was mortally wounded. The whole British army became demoralized,
and Burgoyne began a retreat. The exultant Americans closely followed, drove out the Hessians, and took a portion of his camp. Gen. Arnold was severely wounded leading this last charge. Night again closed the contest, and before morning Burgoyne had retreated, and was soon entrenched in his first fortified camp. Here, however, he could not remain. The Americans had captured his supplies, and closed every avenue for retreat. Not daring to risk another battle, and despairing of the expected succor, short of provisions and hourly expecting an attack from the Americans, flushed with their recent success, he proposed an armistice to arrange the terms of capitulation. Gen. Gates demanded unconditional surrender. This Burgoyne refused, and terms more favorable to the British were concluded Oct. 15. Burgoyne surrendered nearly 0,000 prisoners of war, forty pieces of brass artillery, several thousand stand of small arms, and great stores of ammunition. The report of • this battle electrified the country, quieted all fears of other incursions from Canada, and rallied the waning confidence and enthusiasm of the people. To commemorate this auspicious event, it is proposed to build it grander monument than that on Bunker Hill; and toward the estimated cost of nearly half a million the sum of $50,000 has been appropriated by the state of New York.