Learn Our History Today: On October 7, 1777, during the American Revolution, the Battle of Bemis Heights (also known as the second battle of Saratoga) was fought in Saratoga, New York. This battle came to be regarded as the major turning point of the Revolutionary War because America’s victory there finally convinced France to join the war as an American ally. Following the campaign of 1776, in which the British Army failed to trap and destroy the Army of George Washington, located in and around New York City, the British high command developed a new strategy. The plan would be to send one army under General John Burgoyne down the Hudson River from Lake Champlain, while another under the command of General William Howe would advance up the Hudson from New York City. The two would link up near the city of Albany, New York, thereby taking control of the entire Hudson River. This would essentially cut the New England colonies, which the British took to be the most rebellious, off from the Middle and Southern colonies, which the British assumed would be more loyal. In late summer of 1777, the plan was launched except by William Howe, who instead of following the plan, set off on a campaign to take Philadelphia. Regardless, Burgoyne continued with the plan, advancing through upstate New York south towards Albany. However, near the town of Saratoga, Burgoyne’s march south was stopped by the American Army of Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. On September 19, the two sides fought a pitched battle on a piece of ground known as Freeman’s Farm, in which the British emerged victorious, but only after suffering significant casualties. On October 7, the two sides met again but this time the American forces were much stronger, having been swelled by an influx of local militia. The British attempted to flank the American army but were met by multiple columns of Continental troops. The British and the Americans then squared off in what was essentially an evenly matched battle, blasting away at each other. The arrival of General Benedict Arnold changed the face of the battle. He rode in and among the American troops rallying them and urging them forward. Eventually the Americans broke through, and the Redcoats were sent running towards previously prepared redoubts. Not content to merely drive the British from the field, Arnold urged the men forward towards the redoubts. One redoubt was able to hold back the onslaught, but the other, the one Arnold was charging against fell to the American attackers. Arnold himself was shot in the leg and toppled from his horse as the Redoubt was falling. The battle had been a complete American victory and it finally showed the French government that the fledgling colonies could hold their own against the mighty British Army. The French would later provide extremely valuable supplies and troops that would play a big part in winning the Revolutionary War.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 18:33:32 +0000
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