Battle of Saratoga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battles of Saratoga
Part of the American Revolutionary War Saratoga campaign
Surrender of General Burgoyne by John Trumbull, 1822 Depicted at center are General John Burgoyne surrendering to General Horatio Gates, who refused to take his sword. The painting hangs in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
Date September 19 and October 7, 1777 Location Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York 42°59′56″N 73°38′15″W / 42.99889°N 73.63750°W / 42.99889; -73.63750 Result Freeman's Farm: British victory Bemis Heights: American victory British surrender October 17
Belligerents
United States Canadian Auxiliaries	Great Britain Quebec Loyalists Hesse-Cassel Hesse-Hanau Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Commanders and leaders
Horatio Gates Benedict Arnold Benjamin Lincoln Enoch Poor Ebenezer Learned Daniel Morgan James Livingston	John Burgoyne  Simon Fraser  † Baron Riedesel
Strength
9,000 (first battle) over 12,000 (second battle) over 15,000 (at time of surrender)	7,200 (first battle) 6,600 (second battle)
Casualties and losses
90 killed 240 wounded	440 killed 695 wounded 6,222 captured

The Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point of the American Revolution. The battle was fought in late 1777.

It was actually two engagements: the Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19) and the Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7). The Americans were led by General Horatio Gates. The British were led by General John Burgoyne. On October 17 Burgoyne surrendered his army of nearly 6,000 British soldiers. The American victory helped convince France to come to the aid the Continental Army. It also helped them recognize the United States.

Prelude

In early 1777, General William Howe asked London to approve his plan to attack Philadelphia. This would destroy the rebellious American government. In Canada, General John Burgoyne submitted a plan to move down through New York and meet General Howe at Albany. This would divide the colonies. London approved both plans. Burgoyne began moving down the Hudson River valley from Canada. He split his force into two columns. One, under Colonel Barry St. Leger moved east from Lake Ontario down the Mohawk Valley. They attacked the Americans at Fort Stanwix. The Americans sent two parties to relieve the fort. The second, under the command of Benedict Arnold, drove the British away from the fort. St. Leger's column retreated back to Lake Ontario. Burgoyne continued south with his own column of about 7,000 British and Hessian soldiers. He was joined by about 500 native Americans, allied to the British.

Burgoyne made a proclamation to his Indians to go out and strike at the enemy. He added that women and children, or any who did not oppose them should not be killed. But men, women and children were killed. One famous incident upset all the colonists. A young woman named Jane McCrea was engaged to marry one of Burgoyne's young tory officers. Indians bringing her to Burgoyne fought over her and killed her. Burgoyne wouldn't punish the Indian who killed her. This proved he could not even protect friendly colonists. Newspapers in the colonies spread the story. As a result, a great many Americans who had been neutral took up arms against the British. The story even reached England. In the House of Commons Edmund Burke spoke out against the British policy of using Native American allies.

Battle of Freeman's Farm

Modern view of the battleground of Freeman's Farm

Howe had captured Philadelphia. But it took so long he did not send any forces north to support Burgoyne. On September 19 Burgoyne attacked the Americans who were entrenched on Bemis Heights near Saratoga. He again fought Americans at Freeman's Farm. This time it was American riflemen under the command of Daniel Morgan. American Marksman killed a large number of British and Hessian officers. This was intended to cause confusion among the British forces. Burgoyne lost about 600 casualties. He claimed victory although he was still held in place by the Americans.

Battle of Bemis Heights

Benedict Arnold at Battle of Bemis Heights

Burgoyne tried and failed to attack the Americans again on October 7. But the Americans held out against him. A counterattack led by Benedict Arnold pushed the British back further until they finally retreated back to Saratoga. This battle cost Burgoyne another 600 casualties. The American losses were less than 150. Burgoyne's army was now surrounded by a much larger and growing American army. On October 13, 1777 Burgoyne asked for a Ceasefire. Horatio Gates, the American commander asked for Burgoyne's surrender. But Burgoyne stalled and did not give an answer. The terms given by Gates were harsh. Finally Gates offered better terms. On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered.

British surrender

The Surrender of General Burgoyne depicted on a 1927 US Postage Stamp

Burgoyne surrendered his whole army of 5,752. He gave up 42 cannons, 7,000 muskets and all his supplies. Officers were separated from their men and placed on parole. Unlike their men they were allowed to keep their pistols. Gates invited Burgoyne to dine with him. The two men were friendly. Each toasted the other's leader. The British and Hessian soldiers were marched to Boston. Per the agreement they were to return to England on their promise not to fight again. While some did return to England, Congress changed the terms. Many were sent to prisons in the colonies to wait out the war.

Interesting facts about the Battle of Saratoga

Benedict Arnold, who was a hero in the Battles of Saratoga

• Benedict Arnold was a hero at the Battles of Saratoga, but later became a spy for the British.
• 440 British and 90 American soldiers died during both battles.
• The battles at Saratoga were a turning point in the war because France felt confident supporting the Americans after they won. They formed an alliance with America in 1778.
• To recognize the victory at Saratoga George Washington proclaimed that the first national Thanksgiving day would be celebrated on December 18, 1777.

Images for kids

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  General John Burgoyne was referred to by some as "Gentleman Johnny" for his manners (portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, c. 1760)

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  General Horatio Gates, portrait by Gilbert Stuart

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  Initial dispositions and movements at the Battle of Freeman's Farm, 19 September 1777

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  Map depicting the positions at 1:00 pm

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  Map depicting the positions at 3:00 pm

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  Map depicting the positions at 5:00 pm

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  Plan of battlefield of Saratoga, and views of John Neilson's house (which served as headquarters for Enoch Poor and Benedict Arnold) from south, east and inside

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  Troop dispositions and initial movements at the Battle of Bemis Heights. The only known contemporary American map showing the positions of the two armies was made by Rufus Putnam, who commanded the 5th Massachusetts Regiment in Nixon's Brigade.

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  Boot Monument, depicting Arnold's injured leg

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  View of the battlefield from the visitor center of Saratoga National Historic Park

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Saratoga para niños