Campaigns > Saratoga Campaign

Saratoga Campaign

Background

The Saratoga Campaign, conducted in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, was a significant series of battles and maneuvers that culminated in the decisive American victory at the Battles of Saratoga. This campaign marked a turning point in the war, leading to increased international support for the American cause, particularly from France.

Background:

1. British Strategy:

   • The British aimed to divide the American colonies by taking control of the Hudson River Valley. The plan was to have three armies converge at Albany, New York.
   • General John Burgoyne would lead the main force south from Canada through the Champlain Valley. A second force under General Barry St. Leger would advance from Lake Ontario through the Mohawk Valley. General Sir William Howe was expected to move north from New York City.

2. American Preparations:

   • The Americans, led by General Horatio Gates and assisted by leaders such as Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan, prepared to counter the British advance. They fortified positions and organized local militia to resist the British movements.

Key Campaign Events:

1. Burgoyne’s Advance:

   • General Burgoyne's army, consisting of about 8,000 troops, including British regulars, Hessian mercenaries, Loyalists, and Native American allies, moved south from Canada in June 1777. They captured Fort Ticonderoga in early July, a significant early success.
   • However, Burgoyne's progress slowed due to difficult terrain, logistical challenges, and increasing resistance from American forces. The British faced supply shortages and had to build roads through dense forests.

2. Battle of Bennington (August 16, 1777):

   • Burgoyne sent a detachment to Bennington, Vermont, to capture supplies. This force was defeated by American militia under General John Stark and Colonel Seth Warner, inflicting significant losses on the British.
   • The defeat at Bennington deprived Burgoyne of much-needed supplies and weakened his forces.

3. St. Leger’s Expedition:

   • General Barry St. Leger’s force, moving east from Lake Ontario, laid siege to Fort Stanwix (Fort Schuyler) in August 1777. However, the siege failed due to stiff resistance from the American garrison and a decisive American victory at the Battle of Oriskany.
   • St. Leger’s force eventually retreated, failing to join Burgoyne at Albany.

4. Battles of Saratoga:

   • First Battle (Battle of Freeman’s Farm, September 19, 1777): Burgoyne’s army clashed with American forces near Saratoga. The battle was tactically inconclusive, but the British suffered heavy casualties and were unable to break through American lines.
   • Second Battle (Battle of Bemis Heights, October 7, 1777): Burgoyne launched another attack, but the Americans, led by Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan, counterattacked fiercely. The British were decisively defeated and forced to retreat to Saratoga.

5. Surrender at Saratoga (October 17, 1777):

   • Surrounded and outnumbered, with no hope of reinforcements or resupply, Burgoyne's army was compelled to surrender to General Gates at Saratoga.
   • The surrender of approximately 5,800 British troops marked a turning point in the war.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Casualties and Prisoners:

   • The British suffered significant casualties during the campaign, with many soldiers killed, wounded, or captured. American losses were relatively lighter but still substantial.
   • The captured British and Hessian troops were held as prisoners of war, providing a morale boost and resources for the Americans.

2. International Support:

   • The American victory at Saratoga convinced France of the viability of the American cause. In 1778, France formally entered the war as an ally of the United States, providing military and financial support.
   • Spanish and Dutch support also increased following the French alliance, further pressuring British resources and strategy.

3. Strategic Consequences:

   • The Saratoga Campaign disrupted British plans to divide the colonies and demonstrated the effectiveness of American military leadership and strategy.
   • The victory boosted American morale and recruitment, strengthening the Continental Army and its resolve to continue the fight for independence.

Significance:

• Turning Point: The Saratoga Campaign is widely regarded as the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. The victory shifted the momentum in favor of the Americans and led to crucial international alliances.
• Military Strategy and Leadership: The campaign highlighted the importance of effective military strategy, leadership, and the role of local militia in supporting regular troops.
• Diplomatic Impact: The campaign's outcome had significant diplomatic repercussions, leading to increased foreign aid and altering the global dynamics of the war.

The Saratoga Campaign remains a pivotal chapter in American history, illustrating the interplay of military strategy, leadership, and international diplomacy in the fight for independence.

Battles

• Fort Ticonderoga
• Hubbardton
• Fort Anne
• Slaying of Jane McCrea
• Fort Stanwix
• Oriskany
• Bennington
• 1st Saratoga (Freeman's Farm)
• Forts Clinton and Montgomery
• 2nd Saratoga (Bemis Heights)
• Kingston

Saratoga Campaign Battles

• Battle of Bennington
• Battle of Fort Anne
• Battle of Hubbardton
• Battle of Oriskany
• Battles of Forts Clinton and Montgomery
• Battles of Saratoga
• First Battle of Saratoga
• Second Battle of Saratoga
• Burning of Kingston
• Siege of Fort Ticonderoga

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources