The Battle of
Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was in 1777
in Saratoga, New York. It was a battle part of the American Revolution and was
a major turning point for the better. General John Burgoyne was leading the
British and his soldier was tired and week from earlier battles. They were
7,200 strong on the first of 2 battles. The Americans lead by Benedict Arnold
lead the Americans with the help of Haratio Gates were 9,000. It was a short
battle. Burgoyne captured the American base Ticonderoga and forced the
Americans out.
General
Burgoyne now owning fort Ticonderoga had a decision for winter. An other
British general was moving north for the winter. Burgoyne cold either go south
to Albany or stay at north to Ticonderoga. He decided to cross the Hudson River
while his forces were still strong and stay at Ticonderoga.
Benedict
and Gates got help from George Washington while the British were hiding in the
winter. He Ordered 750 men from the Massachusetts militia as well as 500
specially strained riflemen to join the command of Benedict Then in July the
moved to the road 10 miles from Saratoga were the English would go to move to
Albany. Now they were 12,000 strong against a now smaller English army only
6,200.
Gates, Arnold, and Lincoln were all
assigned small groups that would Arnold took the left Flank while Lincoln and
Gates stayed central and Attacked small outpost were the English tried to
withdraw the Americans. The battle was long and only lasted what seemed like
forever for the British. The English flanked left as planned, but Arnold was
ready he and his men intercepted them. Gunfire continued though out the whole
day. Also as planned other British tried to withdraw the Americans by attacking
bases but it was to late the Americans where already thinning the British out.
The elite group of riflemen called
Morgan’s men took out almost every person they could see. The main British
forces were all pushed back while the Americans called in more reinforcements.
French and Spanish troops were in small numbers but provided lots of ammunition
and tactics.
Morgan’s men were so productive
even with small numbers (500 men) they worked like 10,000, but then Burgoyne
received orders to move his forces to the right, where the Morgan’s men were,
now knowing how small the number’s were. But the Americans anticipated this and
surrounded them, with the help of the New York Militia that came half way
through, marking the end of the two battles.
The Americans only had 90 deaths
and 240 wounded. But the British had 440 killed, 695 wounded, and 6,222 captured.
This was a major turning point for the Americans with the resupply of weapons,
clothes, food, and gunpowder. They were ready for the next winter.
Sources:
http://southwilliamstown.org/category/history/page/2/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Benedict_Arnold,_1777–1779
http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-saratoga.htm
