Aug 7, 2026 · 50 min · 12 segments
As the war branched out away from Boston and New York, several fronts—and several major battles—were being fought simultaneously. Meanwhile, there were several cultural dynamics at play away from the…
He would lead some 8,300 British troops from Quebec down Lake Champlain to Albany to split the colonies in two and cut New England off from the main army.
However, there was a problem.
This expedition started on the wrong foot when Burgoyne circulated a proclamation for the Americans to not only let his armies pass through, but greet them as the liberators.
Something that they were very much not going to do.
Regardless of this miscalculation, the overwhelming numbers allowed the British army to make quick work of Fort Ticonderoga on July 5th, before catching up to the retreating American army on the 7th.
The battle was short and chaotic, with both sides scrambling to set any sort of line.
The Americans put up a good fight, but were soon overwhelmed and forced to continue their rapid retreat.
The retreating Americans finally received some respite as they reached the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers on July 30th.
It is here, at a small town called Stillwater, as well as the larger city which gives the battles their name, Saratoga Springs, where Horatio Gates took control of this army to defend against the advancing British troops.
Now, the British by this time were beginning to run low on supplies, and on August 11th, a small force was sent to forage and bring back whatever they could find.
However, this was no easy task as the small force was surrounded by an American militia led by John Stark and completely destroyed on the 15th.
The same happened to a rescue force.
So about a month later, on September 13th, he crossed the Hudson River with his army to attack the Americans.
Now during that same month, Gates had moved his army across the river and fortified at Bemis Heights with some 7,000 men.
On September 19th, after much convincing, Gates sent Benedict Arnold to lead the defense against the British in a clearing north of the hills on the bank of the Hudson.
The armies charged at each other through the forest with volleys of musket and cannon fire, leaving bodies spread throughout the trees.
By the end of the battle, over 500 British troops were dead or wounded, despite them keeping the field itself.
Both armies would lick their wounds and wait for further orders.
Gates got his wish and was reinforced to some 11,000 men in his army.
Burgoyne was not so lucky as General Henry Clinton did not continue up the Hudson as he was expected to and remained 50 miles away.
He would lead some 8,300 British troops from Quebec down Lake Champlain to Albany to split the colonies in two and cut New England off from the main army.
However, there was a problem.
This expedition started on the wrong foot when Burgoyne circulated a proclamation for the Americans to not only let his armies pass through, but greet them as the liberators.
Something that they were very much not going to do.
Regardless of this miscalculation, the overwhelming numbers allowed the British army to make quick work of Fort Ticonderoga on July 5th, before catching up to the retreating American army on the 7th.
The battle was short and chaotic, with both sides scrambling to set any sort of line.
The Americans put up a good fight, but were soon overwhelmed and forced to continue their rapid retreat.
The retreating Americans finally received some respite as they reached the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers on July 30th.
It is here, at a small town called Stillwater, as well as the larger city which gives the battles their name, Saratoga Springs, where Horatio Gates took control of this army to defend against the advancing British troops.
Now, the British by this time were beginning to run low on supplies, and on August 11th, a small force was sent to forage and bring back whatever they could find.
However, this was no easy task as the small force was surrounded by an American militia led by John Stark and completely destroyed on the 15th.
The same happened to a rescue force.
So about a month later, on September 13th, he crossed the Hudson River with his army to attack the Americans.
Now during that same month, Gates had moved his army across the river and fortified at Bemis Heights with some 7,000 men.
On September 19th, after much convincing, Gates sent Benedict Arnold to lead the defense against the British in a clearing north of the hills on the bank of the Hudson.
The armies charged at each other through the forest with volleys of musket and cannon fire, leaving bodies spread throughout the trees.
By the end of the battle, over 500 British troops were dead or wounded, despite them keeping the field itself.
Both armies would lick their wounds and wait for further orders.
Gates got his wish and was reinforced to some 11,000 men in his army.
Burgoyne was not so lucky as General Henry Clinton did not continue up the Hudson as he was expected to and remained 50 miles away.
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