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
Burgoyne was equally busy in strengthening his position. His camp was
pitched within cannon-shot of the American lines. Across the plain to
the river hills a line of intrenchments, with batteries, was thrown up,
crossing the north ravine not far from its junction with the Middle
Ravine or Mill Creek. The intrenchments extended northward on the west
side of Freeman's farm. The Hessian camp was pitched upon an eminence
about half a mile northwest of Freeman's farm, where a strong redoubt
was reared, and a line of intrenchments of a horse-shoe form was thrown
up. Intrenchments were also made along the hills fronting the river; and
four redoubts, upon four hills or huge knolls, were erected, two above
and two below Wilbur's Basin. A short line of intrenchments, with a
battery, extended across the flats to the river, and covered their
magazine and hospital in the rear. These composed the principal defenses
of the enemy. In many places these works may still be traced, especially
by mounds and shallow ditches in the woods.
As soon as the works were completed, General Gates moved his quarters
from Bemis's house to the one delineated in the second picture from the
top, among the group of localities on page 46. The house belonged to
Captain Ephraim Woodworth. A barn, which stood about fifteen rods east
of the house, was used for a hospital.
September, 1777 General Lincoln, with two thousand New England troops,
joined the main army on the 29th. Gates at once gave up the right wing
to him, and assumed the command of the left, which was composed of two
brigades under Generals Poor and Learned, Colonel Morgan's rifle corps,
and a part of the fresh New England militia. Morgan occupied the heights
immediately south of the fort; Learned's brigade the plain on the east,
and General Poor's brigade the heights south of Morgan, between him and
Gates's headquarters. ** In fact, the position of the American army was
about the same as at the time of the battle of the 19th. Burgoyne
disposed his troops to the best advantage. The Hessians, under Colonel
Breyman, occupied a height on the extreme right, and formed a flank
defense rather than a wing of the main army. The light infantry, under
Earl Balcarras, with the choicest portion of Fraser's corps, flanked on
the left by the grenadiers and Hamilton's brigade, occupied the vicinity
of Freeman's farm; the remainder of the army, including the artillery
under Phillips and Beidesel, occupied the plain and the high ground
north of Wilbur's Basin; and the Hessians of Hanau, the forty-seventh
regiment, and some loyalists, were situated upon the flats near the
river, for the protection of the bateaux, hospital, and magazine. Thus
in parallel lines to each other, and within cannon-shot, the two armies
lay in menacing attitude from the 20th of September until the 7th of
October. Each exercised the utmost vigilance, expecting the other to
fall upon them in full power, or entangle them by strategy. There were
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