Battle of Saratoga

This is a description of what happened before, after, and during, the Battle of Saratoga.

Battle of Saratoga

In 1777, British military leaders developed a plan to bring a quick end to the American Revolution by separating New England from the rest of the colonies. The plan depended on British forces taking control of Albany and the Hudson River Valley.

General John Burgoyne would march south from Canada, Barry St. Leger would move east from the Lake Ontario region, and General William Howe was expected to move north from New York City. The three forces were supposed to meet near Albany and crush Patriot resistance.

The British Plan Falls Apart

General Howe, however, had different plans. Rather than moving north toward Albany, Howe marched south and attacked the Patriot capital of Philadelphia.

Although Howe succeeded in capturing Philadelphia and forcing the Continental Congress to flee to York, Pennsylvania, he chose to remain in the region instead of continuing north to support Burgoyne.

At the same time, Patriot resistance under leaders including Benedict Arnold helped stop St. Leger's advance through New York. Burgoyne's movement south was also slowed by difficult terrain, long supply lines, and obstacles created by Patriot forces.

Running short on supplies, Burgoyne sent a detachment toward Bennington in an attempt to seize badly needed horses and provisions. The British force was defeated by Patriot troops under John Stark, weakening Burgoyne's army even further.

Burgoyne Is Trapped

Burgoyne's army eventually found itself isolated near Saratoga, New York. Patriot forces under Horatio Gates blocked the British advance from the south, while Howe remained near Philadelphia and St. Leger's expedition had already withdrawn.

The first major fighting near Saratoga took place at Freeman's Farm on September 19, 1777. Although the British held the field, they suffered heavy losses that they could not easily replace.

On October 7, 1777, Burgoyne launched another attack against the growing Patriot army. At the Battle of Bemis Heights, American forces, including troops led aggressively by Benedict Arnold, broke the British lines and forced Burgoyne to retreat.

Surrounded, short on supplies, and suffering heavy casualties, Burgoyne had little choice but to surrender. On October 17, 1777, thousands of British and allied soldiers laid down their arms.

A Turning Point in the War

The Patriot victory at Saratoga is often considered one of the great turning points of the American Revolution. The victory boosted American morale and demonstrated that the Continental forces were capable of defeating a major British army.

Just as importantly, the victory helped convince France that the American cause had a realistic chance of success.

In February 1778, after extensive diplomacy led in part by Benjamin Franklin, the United States and France signed treaties that formally brought France into the war as an American ally.

French support eventually included troops, ships, weapons, supplies, and financial assistance. This international support greatly strengthened the American war effort and would prove especially important during the final campaigns of the Revolution.

Why it mattered: Saratoga helped transform the American Revolution from a colonial rebellion into a broader international war by convincing France to openly support the United States.

Battles and Events of the Revolutionary War

Remove ad

Related activities

Remove ad