Saratoga National Historical Park, New YorkWilshin, Francis
History
Saratoga National Historical Park, New York
Wilshin, Francis
Saratoga Campaign, N.Y., 1777; Saratoga National Historical Park (N.Y.)
In no small sense, however, the success of the American cause may be
attributed to the skill of the colonial infantry who, under the daring
leadership of Arnold and Morgan, had proved themselves more than a match
for the British veterans. Furthermore, the American ability to increase
their numbers within a short period of time materially added to their
ultimate success. The speed with which the county and State governments
called up the militia levies and forwarded the needed supplies enhanced
the American position; so that as Burgoyne’s manpower and supply
situation became increasingly desperate, Gates’ became stronger.
Although most of the fighting at Saratoga was done by Continental
troops, corresponding to what we would call regulars the presence of the
militia made possible the commitment to the battles of the better
trained and organized Continentals.
[Illustration: _This famous painting of the surrender of General
Burgoyne at Saratoga, by John Trumbull, is of a memorial nature. It
does not attempt to reconstruct the actual scene. The four figures
in the central foreground are Generals Phillips, Burgoyne, and
Gates, and Colonel Morgan._ Courtesy Yale University Art Gallery.]
[Illustration: _Burgoyne cannon. This 24-pounder bronze gun was one
of the pieces of artillery surrendered by the British at Saratoga._]
[Illustration: Cannon on its carriage]
[Illustration: _View east from Fraser’s Hill with the Hudson Valley
Hills and Green Mountains in the distance, showing the terrain held
by the British line and the ground most bitterly fought over in the
battle of October 7. On the bluffs overlooking the river is the site
of the Great Redoubt (1) where Fraser was buried and from where the
British began their retreat northward to Saratoga (now
Schuylerville). The Breymann Redoubt (2) was in the cleared area
adjacent to the woods. The Freeman Farm (3), where the battle of
September 19 began, was later included within the British lines. The
Balcarres Redoubt ran from the Freeman Farm right to (4)._]
The employment of Indians by the British and the outrages perpetrated by
them upon the civilian populace, of which the murder of Jane McCrae was
the most noted, helped to give a sense of urgency to the people of the
region. This resulted in a greater degree of wholehearted support of the
American military effort than might otherwise have been the case.
_Guide to the Park_
Saratoga National Historical Park is an area of exceptional scenic
beauty, the terrain of the park being characterized by sharply rising
bluffs, deep ravines, and rolling hills. Its present open clearings are
in sharp contrast to its heavily wooded appearance in 1777.
Though time has left few vestiges of the American and British
fortifications, an effort is being made to establish definitely their
original character and position by historical and archeological
research.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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