Saratoga October 7, 1777

Strategic ContextThe British look to strangle the American Revolution in 1777 by cutting off the more troublesome northeastern colonies from the rest with converging attacks on Albany. John Burgoyne is to march south from Quebec, Barry St. Leger is to march south from Lake Ontario, and William Howe is to march north after capturing Philadelphia. The plan quickly unravels however as Howe is diverted south to pursue George Washington’s army and St. Leger is forced to retreat. Burgoyne continues south anyways but is repulsed by Horatio Gates’ growing American army. Burgoyne entrenches his army in the hopes Henry Clinton’s forces will march north to his aid. The British lack supplies and are in a desperate situation. Burgoyne proposes to turn the American left with 4,000 men but his officers protest. Instead, Burgoyne sends 1,500 men towards the American left as a reconnaissance in force to find weaknesses in the American line and forage. The British maneuver is closely observed by the Americans.

Stakes+ A British victory would permit Burgoyne to make an effective attempt to break out south and meet up with Clinton.

+ An American victory would prevent any possible link up between the two British forces, leaving Burgoyne’s army to wither.

By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

Saratoga, 1777Strength

British

Well

Americans

Well

John Burgoyne

11,0006,500

Horatio Gates

By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

Benedict Arnold

British(Burgoyne)

Americans(Gates)

The British reconnaissance detachment, over 1,500 strong, halts in a field as the officers attempt to observe and plot the American positions. Benedict Arnold, recently deprived of command, urges Gates to attack the British immediately and aggressively; Gates dismisses Arnold after a brief, intense debate but does send 4,000 troops to meet the British. Learned is to engage the British center but only after Morgan and Poor envelop its flanks. Both armies operate out of well-entrenched camp positions.

Poor engages the British left; Acland’s guns inflict little damage on the Americans fighting from the brush and suffer disproportionately. Morgan meanwhile outflanks the British right and falls on it “like a torrent.” Shortly after, Arnold, apparently intoxicated, leads Learned’s troops forward to engage Riedesel’s troops at the British center.

Fraser

Poor

Riedesel Acland

Balcarres

Breymann

LearnedMorgan

The British wings disintegrate against the overwhelming American attack, forcing Riedesel to retreat to the redoubts despite having held his ground. Fraser attempts to organize a rearguard but is killed by one of Morgan’s sharpshooters; the remains of Fraser’s force also retreat to the redoubts. The Americans pursue.

Poor

Learned

Morgan

The British regroup within the existing defences of their right flank, anchored by Breymann’s and Balcarres’ redoubts on the wings and a few small, fortified cabins manned by skirmishers at the center. Arnold, active on the battlefield, appears on the American right to lead Poor’s troops against Balcarres’ Redoubt, albeit ineffectually. Meanwhile, Learned approaches the fortified cabins between the two redoubts and Morgan approaches Breymann’s Redoubt.

As the American attack on Balcarres’ Redoubt falters, Arnold joins the advancing troops to the left. For the second time, he leads Learned’s troops forward, capturing the fortified cabins and then hitting Breymann’s Redoubt from behind as Morgan hits it from in front. Breymann is killed in the fighting as the redoubt falls to the American attack.

From his headquarters, Gates sends reinforcements. As they arrive, Arnold is wounded and must be carried from the battlefield. Without a commander at the front to direct the overall battle, the American reinforcements can only consolidate as night begins to fall.

NN Americans(Horatio Gates)11,000

British(John Burgoyne)6,500

Saratoga, 1777Casualties & Aftermath

British: Americans:

894

or

14%

130

or

1%

By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

With the Americans threatening to occupy his right, Burgoyne ordered a retreat at dawn. Gates did not pursue for three days in order to reorganize, but this did not stop the Americans from catching up to the British within a few days and encircling Burgoyne’s entire force, resulting in his unconditional surrender. The British plan of 1777 had failed miserably. The American victory destroyed an entire British force, boosting morale and ensuring a steady flow of volunteers. Internationally, the victory contributed to France’s decision to declare war on Britain in 1778, swinging the war in America’s favour.

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By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©