Battle of Saratoga

The Battle(s) of Saratoga are considered by many historians to have been the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and one of the most decisive battles in history. The defeat and capture of a major British military force in the Saratoga campaign by American revolutionary forces resulted in securing the northern American colonies from attacks out of Canada and convinced the rulers of France that it was worth extending the full measure of their military, political, and diplomatic support to the rebel American colonies.

Related Topics:
Historian - American Revolutionary War - Battles

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A force of roughly 10,000 men—mostly British regulars—under General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne had advanced from French Canada in the summer of 1777 with the intention of taking Albany, New York, and cutting New England off from the rest of the colonies by seizing control of the Hudson River Valley. In the spring, the British had seized colonial forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The Americans retreated. However, a successful colonial delaying action comprising the systematic blocking of roads, destruction of bridges, and harassment of British troops with sniper fire slowed the British advance beyond the southern ends of Lakes Champlain and George to a few kilometers a day. Burgoyne's force was eventually blocked by colonial regular soldiers and militia under General Horatio Gates in the area north of the Hudson Valley town of Saratoga. Over the course of the summer, the colonial force grew to roughly 15,000 men.

Related Topics:
British - "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne - French - Canada - 1777 - Albany, New York - New England - Hudson River - Crown Point - Ticonderoga - Sniper - Champlain - George - Horatio Gates - Saratoga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~