The Revolution IGNITED

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The Battle of Saratoga was like the turning point of the Revolution. 
British troops in Canada had as their main objective to take control of Albany, New York and Hudson River to divide the New England colonies from all the other colonies at the Hudson River and make it easier for Britain to gain control, under the guidance and lead of Major General John Burgoyne. General Burgoyne left Montreal, Quebec in Canada with 6000 men on June 1777 to approach Albany. Another group of troops led by Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger were to join him from Canada. General Howe also was to join him from New York. On their way they stopped at Fort Tinconderoga which is between Lake George and Lake Campaign built by the French in 1775 to protect themselves against the British and also protect fur trading the major route through the Hudson River. Then the fort was taken over by the British on July 5, 1777.
Unfortunately for Burgoyne, St. Leger's troops ran into Benedict Arnold and his American militia. St. Leger and his troops were forced to head back to Canada. Then, General Howe's forces were fighting with Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and then the Battle of Germantown. This kept him from joining Burgoyne.


As Major General Burgoyne reached Albany with his men in September, 1777, they found the city guarded by 7000 Patriots under the command of Major General Horatio Gates now Patriots had decided to wait for British to make their move since they had used the land to their advantage. After minor assaults on September 19 General Gates led his men to an attack at Freeman´s Farm and even though Patriots were reinforced with Gate´s troop they were still not able to suppress the British. Patriots had 320 men killed or hurt, then the British had 600 killed or wounded and the survivor moved up north two miles of Freemen´s Farm to set up their camp headquarters.

On October 7, 1777 General Burgoyne and his men executed a full assault on the patriots at Bemis Heights. But the Patriots had let down the British before through the minor assault and they were now prepared to fight them on October. The patriot´s defense was made up of Major General Gates´, Major General Arnold´s, and Major General Daniel Morgan´s troops which together integrated a great defense against the British. This gave General Burgoyne on choice but to depart Saratoga, they suffered 600 losses compared to the patriots who only lost 150 men. General Burgoyne with 5000 men surrenders to a Patriot army of 20000 men.

This battle strengthen the Patriot´s spirit of winning the war and gave them the confidence, but it also disappointed the British who had the purpose of  taking control of the North giving up their hope of ever recovering authority over the Colonies.


This battle encouraged the French to support in a more direct and public way the colonists since it use to be a secret way of helping, but the war had persuaded the French that patriots had the chance to win the war against the British for their independence. They participated in the victory at Yorktown on October 6, 1781, where General Cornwallis´ and his troops also surrendered against an army of 16000 men.
This battle was one important victory as a turning point of the war in favor of the colonists.




GoAnimate.com: Revolutionary War- Battle of SaratogaVideo

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During the year of 1776 George Washington had suffered great losses on Long Island and having to surrender on New York City and forded them to retreat to Jersey. Washington withdraw his troops throughout the crossing of the Delaware, this would make him and his troops indefensible from the British with their naval mobility and larger force. British didn´t attempt to cross the Delaware and established at Manhattan Island and Staten Island under General Howe´s leadership.
Fort Manhattan and Fort Lee had been captured by about 1500 Hessians. George Washington was planning to attack them, by crossing the Delaware at Christmas night with about 2000 men. But the crossing was hard since the weather conditions did not make the passage easy with their boats avoiding ice floes in the river and heavy snow storms. Many of the soldiers were badly clothed and some did not have shoes, several were leaving traces of blood on the snow as they marched to Trenton. On December 26, 1776, American troops surprised the Hessians who were stationed in houses along the Penning road about half mile outside Trenton, they had intended to celebrate Christmas and even their commander was notified of an attack, but he ignored the warning. He said "What need of entrenchments? Let the rebels come; we will at them with the bayonet", and did not anticipate defense works around the town. Continental forces under the command of Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan surrounded them. The Hessian´s commander Colonel Rall who intended to caution his soldiers got in his horse, but he was then shot and died from his wounds. Within 90 minutes Hessians were surrounded by the Americans considering escape routes cut off.. Hessians surrendered, they suffered 20 deaths, 100 wounded and 1000 of their soldiers were captured and sent to Philadelphia.
For the first time Washington and his troops had defeated a regular army in the field, the army had gain forces to continue, the victory raised their spirits giving them confidence, some who were about to leave the army, reenlisted; and Washington´s reputation of a good commander had solidified there were no more doubts of his abilities. Afterward, Washington gained 6 cannons, 40 horses and a great deal of supplies that were transported to Pennsylvania.