” 7—Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne is defeated, and part of his camp with stores and ammunition, much needed by the Americans, captured. British loss 400. They retreated in the night. ” 15—Kingston, New York, burned by the British. They had taken forts Clinton and Montgomery, defending the river below, October 6th. This was an effort to aid Burgoyne, but it failed, being too late, and they retreated down the river. ” 17—Gen. Burgoyne surrenders his whole army to Gen. Gates. The prisoners amounted to 5,647. Burgoyne had lost about 4,000 since his capture of Ticonderoga. Thirty-five brass field-pieces and 5,000 stand of arms fell into the hands of the Americans. Washington, as commander-in-chief, had diminished his own army till it was much inferior to the British he was facing, to secure the success of the northern army against Burgoyne. This was the turning point of the war. Its immediate result was a treaty of alliance with France. ” 22—Count Donop, with 1,200 Hessians, attacks the American fort at Red Bank, below Philadelphia, and is repulsed by Colonel Green with 400 men. Donop is killed, and the British retire with a loss of 500 men and two vessels of war. Nov. 15—“The Articles of Confederation” adopted by Congress. ” 16-18—Americans abandon Mud Island, and Fort Mercer, below Philadelphia. Dec. 11—Washington establishes his army in winter quarters at Valley Forge. During this year American prisoners were treated with great cruelty at New York. General Gates, who had really succeeded in capturing Burgoyne only by the aid of Generals Schuyler and Arnold, intrigues against Washington. When this became known the general indignation killed the scheme. 1778. The American cause was really gained by the war of the previous year. The Americans were so far unanimous, and so spirited, that the British had not been able to get a permanent hold on any part of the country, save what was occupied by their armies in force. Jan. 30—A treaty of alliance is made with France. Mar. 4—The American frigate Alfred, of twenty guns, captured by two English vessels of war. ” 20—The American Minister presented at the French Court. Apr. 18—Count d’Estaing leaves Toulon, France, with a fleet to aid the Americans in the war. Jun. 12—Philip Livingston, of New York, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, died.