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The Battle Of Saratog Turning Point Of The American Revolution

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The Battle of Saratoga was a crucial victory for the Patriots and takes credit for the turning point of the American Revolution. The battle is considered to be the turning point of the war because “… it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory.” Even though the two battles took place on two separate occasions, both battles had a similar outcome and both contributed to the ridding of Great Britain. British General John Burgoyne, or “Gentleman Jonny”, was known for his was manners on the battlefield. In June of 1777, he moved south in hopes of taking control of the upper Hudson River valley. Though some of his army had reached the upper Hudson River valley, most of his troops were delayed at Fort …show more content…

Bemis Heights was chosen as a great defensive position because it was the only road to Albany and offered a fantastic commanding view. To the west lie heavily wooded forests that would trouble any heavily equipped army. It was only a matter of time before the first Battle of Saratoga would take place. On September 19th, Burgoyne’s battle strategy was to divide New England from the southern colonies and it had started well but slowly deteriorated due to logistical problems. Burgoyne’s plan was the surprise the Americans by attempting to flank them at Bemis Heights. General Benedict Arnold, who anticipated this maneuver, placed a significant amount of troops in the British General’s …show more content…

British General Burgoyne met General Horatio Gates’s army of nine thousand soldiers just north of Albany. Thanks to General Benedict Arnold, the British’s battle plan was easily anticipated and countered effectively. Overall, the British lost two men for every one American soldier in the first Battle of Saratoga. On October 7th, 1777, the second Battle of Saratoga took place. This time, General Burgoyne’s troop strength was quite low following his defeat on September 19th. He likely only had five thousand or so battle ready troops. His battle plan was to have troops flank the right of the American’s position, have grenadiers attack to the left, and advance German regiments straight in the center. But when the British army arrived at Barber’s wheat field, they noticed the flanks were dangerously close to the surrounding forest. General Horatio Gates was responsible for taking control of the left side of the American flank while General Lincoln was to oversee the right side. As soon as Gates received news of the British

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