Battle of Saratoga

This battle took place in the year of 1777, October 17 and, of course, its location in Saratoga near the Hudson River, in the New York State. The reason this battle occurred was because the British wanted to isolate the New England colonies, they sent heavy backup to support this plan but the American soldiers were waiting them to fall in their trap. Thanks to this battle the French decided to make an open alliance with the American forces.

Battle Overview

-Stats-

-Combatants: British and German troops against the Americans.
-Generals: Major General John Burgoyne commanded the British and German force. Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold commanded the American army.
-Size of the armies: The British force comprised some 5,000 British, Brunswicks, Canadians and Indians. At the start of the battle there was no account for the number of American forces, but by the time of the surrender the American force was around 12,000 to 14,000 militia and troops.
-Winner: The Americans forced the surrender of Burgoyne forces.
This encounter was also known as The Battle of Freeman's Farm. The way the Patriots made Burgoyne to surrender was that Simon Fraser (British) was mortally wounded and out of combat, Benedict Arnold advanced to encourage his men to keep on the fight, but Arnold was wounded but not mortally. Burgoyne awaited Colonel Clinton's backup but the Patriots intercepted, captured and hanged the messengers of Burgoyne and Clinton. Burgoyne awaited Clinton until October 17, 1777 but he surrendered his men to General Gates to avoid his men getting killed.
-Casualties: Of the 7,000 British and Germans who marched from Canada only 3,500 were fit for living another day to fight at the surrender.

Simon Fraser Death

Burgoyne's Surrender