This new American independence suffered many problems during all eight years of the war. In 1777, however, a British Army invading from Canada heading south into New York was defeated by American troops in Stillwater and forced to surrender at Saratoga—now Schuylerville, NY. This surrender was important both in strengthening the American Spirit and in getting other countries to recognize and help the new American nation. Saratoga National Historical Park commemorates the campaign and battles in which this American army was victorious over British forces. We also preserve and protect the areas where these events happened. This Junior Ranger Book has puzzles and activities to help you understand all of this: the historic grounds we protect and the people, events and time of the Saratoga Campaign. _Enjoy your Visit!_ ACTIVITY 1—Scavenger Hunt [Illustration: Hand-held magnifying glass] Go on a scavenger hunt through the Park. Look for the items listed below and draw a picture of each as you find it. See how many you can find. Remember: leave everything where you find it! A CANNON AN OFFICER’S SWORD SOMETHING TALLER THAN YOU RIVER OR STREAM UNIFORM BUTTONS SOMETHING YOU’D USE AT HOME A CARTRIDGE BOX A TRAIL MARKER A SOLDIER’S HAT AN ANIMAL TRACK AN INSECT A WOODEN TOOL A WILD ANIMAL AN 18th CENTURY BUILDING SOLDIER’S SHOES OR BOOTS A MONUMENT ACTIVITY 2—Food & Supplies Armies in the 1700’s were not always welcomed by people in the areas they marched through, as these armies often took food and other items from civilians. Sometimes they paid for these supplies, sometimes they did not. Sometimes, they might only promise to pay. Here in America, even if the soldiers paid for supplies, it might be with Continental money, which wasn’t often accepted by everyone. When soldiers were officially ordered by their army to collect what was needed, it was called requisitioning [“_reh-kwi-zi-shen-ing_”] When soldiers took items without permission, it was called theft (stealing). Civilians usually felt it was theft, whether the soldiers had the army’s permission or not. Soldiers’ wives and even families sometimes followed the armies. These “camp followers” were often forced to forage—look around for whatever supplies they could find—without permission, as the armies did not give them everything they might need. For them, it was a matter of survival. Polly Sloat is a soldier’s wife who has helped herself to goods at Farmer Edgar’s home. Farmer Edgar has complained to an officer. Polly is crafty, though, and has hidden the items she took. Can you find them in the picture on the next page? As a hint, here is a list of the items she took. You may want to cross off each item as you find it in the picture.