Battle of Saratoga: A Turning Point in the Revolutionary War

What Caused the Battle of Saratoga?

Following the Continental Army’s crippling defeat in the Battle of Quebec, British war leaders hoped to crush the American’s rebellion once and for all by isolating the New England states from the lower states through a cutoff offensive in upstate New York, in particular, the complete control of the Hudson River, which was a major tributary for Continental Army supplies and reinforcements.

Beginning in the spring of 1777, three British armies were ordered to meet up and merge at Albany New York, but when two of the three failed to reach their destination in time, British General John Burgoyne’s unit faced off solo against General Horatio Gates’ heavily-fortified Northern Department of the Continental Army.

Battle of Freeman’s Farm

Fought on British loyalist John Freeman’s abandoned farm near Saratoga New York, the First Battle of Saratoga—also known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm—took place on September 19th, 1777, witnessing several hours of punishing exchanges from both sides.

Momentum shifted multiple times during the early afternoon battle, until Burgoyne ordered his column of German mercenaries to back up his faltering British line, which in turn forced a pullback by the Americans, and while the Continental Army lost the field that day, they suffered half the number of casualties as the British, which in turn crippled Britain’s ability to continue their offensive ambitions on Albany and the division of the Hudson River.

After the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, Burgoyne dug in his troops for 18 long days as he awaited reinforcements from New York City, but after American troop strength increased to over 13,000, on October 7th, with his supplies hitting rock bottom, Burgoyne ordered a reconnaissance force to attack the American’s left flank near a heavily-wooded area south of Saratoga known as Bemis Heights.

British Retreat and Surrender

Burgoyne soon withdrew his forces when the Americans caught wind of his troop movements, and after heavy rain and frigid conditions slowed the British retreat, two days later, Gates’ men surrounded Burgoyne’s broken army, which proved to be no match for the American’s fortified positions at Bemis Heights.

Now out of both options and supplies, Burgoyne surrendered his army on October 17th, officially ending the Second Battle of Saratoga.

Why Was the Battle of Saratoga Significant to the American Revolutionary War?

Despite their early losses at the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, British mishaps and delays combined with superior American offensive tactics by Gates’ army, the Patriots received a much-needed morale boost that in turn persuaded the French, Spanish and Dutch to join the fight against their mutual rival, adding a thick layer of foreign naval support that would eventually lead the Americans to victory at the Battle of Yorktown, making the First and Second battles of Saratoga, a major turning point in America’s push for independence.