The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
**** Although Congress ratified the generous terms entered into by Gates
with Burgoyne in the convention at Saratoga, circumstances made them
suspicious that the terms would not be strictly complied with. They
feared that the Britons would break their parole, and Burgoyne was
required to furnish a complete roll of his army, the name and rank of
every officer, and the name, former place of abode, occupation, age, and
size of every non-commissioned officer and private soldier. Burgoyne
murmured and hesitated. General Howe, at the same time, was very
illiberal in the exchange of prisoners, and exhibited considerable
duplicity. Congress became alarmed, and resolved not to allow the army
of Burgoyne to leave our shores until a formal ratification of the
convention should be made by the British government. Burgoyne alone was
allowed to go home on parole, and the other officers, with the army,
were marched into the interior of Virginia, to await the future action
of the two governments. The British ministry charged Congress with
positive perfidy, and Congress justified their acts by charging the
ministers with meditated perfidy. That this suspicion was well founded
is proved by subsequent events. In the autumn of 1778, Isaac Ogden, a
prominent loyalist of New Jersey, and then a refugee in New York, thus
wrote to Joseph Galloway, an American Tory in London, respecting an
expedition of four thousand British troops which Sir Henry Clinton sent
up the Hudson a week previous: "Another object of this expedition was to
open the country for many of Burgoyne's troops that had escaped the
vigilance of their guard, to come in. About forty of these have got safe
in. If this expedition had been a week sooner, greater part of
Burgoyne's troops probably would have arrived here, as a disposition of
rising on their guard strongly prevailed, and all they wanted to effect
it was some support near at hand."
Relative Condition and Prospect of the Americans before the Capture of
Burgoyne.--Effect of that Event
083
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