The Battles of Saratoga

a virtual museum

by Gina Giuliano

A visit to the beautiful, serene, yet evocative Saratoga Battlefield, in Stillwater, New York, is highly recommended.

"The Battles of Saratoga, leading up to the surrender of Burgoyne, were the turning point in the success or the failure of the American Revolution" wrote William L. Stone in Visits to the Saratoga Battle-Grounds (1895). The outcome of Saratoga encouraged the French to enter the war and positively influenced colonial morale. Sir Edward Creasy believed that Saratoga was the thirteenth of the fifteen decisive battles from Marathon to Waterloo.

Britian's plan for the 1777 campaign in New York State was called the "Grand Strategy." A water route from Montreal to New York City could be cleared by invading from Lakes Champlain and George, and taking control of the Hudson River. It was based on dividing the colonies from north to south, in order to separate New England from the rest of the colonies. The biggest obstacle proved to be the approximately twenty miles of land that had to be crossed from the lakes to the river (Furneaux, 1971).

The two battles are known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, which took place on September 19, 1777, and the Battle of Bemis Heights, which took place on October 7, 1777.

Benedict Arnold is regarded as both a hero and a traitor in American history. Some confusion exists regarding his role in the Battles of Saratoga. Nothing expresses this dilemma more poignantly than the "boot monument" at the Saratoga National Historical Park. This anonymous memorial, located at the site on the battlefield where he was injured, pays tribute to his wounded leg.

<tribute to Arnold's boot