Battles of Saratoga
Stillwater, New York
What happened
American generals Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan fought the British army of General John Burgoyne, known as 'Gentleman Johnny'. Burgoyne marched a British army south from Quebec toward Albany, planning to cut New England off from the other colonies, but supply problems slowed him and no British army came north to help. At Freeman's Farm on September 19, 1777, he held the field but lost many men, many to Daniel Morgan's riflemen. On October 7, at Bemis Heights, Benedict Arnold led a charge that drove the British back, and ten days later Burgoyne surrendered his whole army.
Why it matters
Result: American victory Freeman's Farm: British victory Bemis Heights: American victory Burgoyne's surrender : October 17. Leaders: Horatio Gates / Benedict Arnold against John Burgoyne / Simon Fraser. Why it matters: It was a major turning point of the American Revolution. The victory persuaded France to join the war as America's ally, turning it into a worldwide conflict.
What came next
General Gates got most of the credit. Arnold, who had led the charge at Bemis Heights, later betrayed the Americans.
Did you know?
A monument on the battlefield shows only a boot, honouring Arnold's bravery at Saratoga without naming him because of his later betrayal.
Timeline
- September 19, 1777Burgoyne holds the field at Freeman's Farm.
- October 7, 1777The Americans drive the British back at Bemis Heights.
- October 17, 1777Burgoyne surrenders his entire army.