Battles of Saratoga

It started on september 19, 1777. The battle were fought 18 days apart on the same ground, 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. This battles were the turning points of the Revolutionary War. This battles consisted of two military engagements, which is why The Battle Of Saratoga is divided two parts, which were the Battle Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights. The victory gave new life to the American cause at a critical time, it ended in October 1777 with the American victory. The succes gave France the confidence in the American cause to become their ally. Later American successes owed a great deal to French aid in financial and military assistance.

Starting on September 19, the british general  Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the American position on Bemis Heights, Benedict Arnold anticipated the strategy, and placed significant forces in the way of Burgoyne. Burgoyne's forces succeeded in gaining control of Freemen's Farm, defeating the Continental Army under Horatio Gates. Disputes continued during the days following the battle, while Burgoyne waited for reinforcements that would arrive from New York City. On the other side, militia forces continued to arrive increasing the size of the American army.

Further on, American troops attacked British troops in the area of Fort Ticonderoga, and bombarded the forts. Another Biritish General called Sir Henry Clinton, began making plans to divert the attention of the Americans from Burgoyne. On October 6, he captured American forts in the Hudson River highlands. Sadly for him, it was already too late to help Burgoyne. On October 7, Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights. The Continental Army had gained strength and had about 12,000 soldiers while the British had about 4,000 soldiers under Burgoyne's command. The Continental Army and the lobster backs engaged in heavy fighting. After the redoubt held by Colonel Breyman and his regiment was taken, Burgoyne decided to withdraw and takes his army to the camp they had built at Saratoga. Burgoyne began to hope that forces of Clinton of the South, would come to aid him. This clearly demonstrates how communication was a major difficulty between the British forces. Almst all British messengers were caught and hanged by The Americans.



Red=British, Blue=Patriots
 

Burgoyne waited for  news of Clinton’s advance until 17th October 1777, when he was forced to sign the convention by which his troops surrendered to Gates, who had by then between 18,000 and 20,000 men. This was the ending of the war. The British learned that the Americans would give everything to fight, and as mentioned above this motivated the French to ally with the Patriots. Keep in mind that before the battle the French had helped the Patriots with secret ammunitions, but after the Battles of Saratoga the French and Patriots signed the alliance.