Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga, known as the turning point in the American Revolution, was, in a sense, the most important battle in the war. The battle relates to FED since it was a major battle in the war for independence and freedom from the British. This one battle made the Americans from on the losing side of the war and about to be annihilated and humiliated to being on the winning side. The very battle convinced our most important ally to join the war, France (which is Britain’s enemy), which would lead to nearly all European nation to help us.

            The Battle of Saratoga was never a battle expected by the British. General Howe and John Burgoyne created a three-pronged plan. Burgoyne was supposed to go down Lake Champlain into Fort Ticonderoga and wait for a small force that would come from the Mohawk River, to meet him there. General Howe would travel up the Hudson River for more reinforcement, and they would attack Albany. The generals thought that this would seal off New England from the rest of the colonies, thus ending the revolution. Only one problem (well, many problems): Howe decided to defend Philadelphia and attack George Washington’s troops (which he actually did really well), and that the troops traveling the Mohawk River were stopped and forced to retreat. That left Burgoyne all on his own to face difficult terrain, thousands of miles away from his home, and attack Albany.

            At first, Burgoyne received success after success. He even broke into Fort Ticonderoga, “The American Gibraltar”, without much trouble. His men completely trusted him, and the revolutionaries were nothing to him. Help was even on the way! Then as he waited, no help came. He realized he was on his own against an ever growing American army. He decided to leave the fort, leave the safety of the waters, and travel through land. The Americans, lead by Benedict Arnold.

            The Americans had a huge advantage, the terrain (which they now really well), the tactics (guerilla warfare was very effective), and most of all, the rifles. The longs rifle, which were perfected for accuracy, were effective for well over 100 yards, while the Brown Bess, which was designed for speed, were ineffective for anything over 40 yards. This means that the Americans can shoot at the British at a distant where the British cannot shoot back.

            Not only do the Americans have a distant advantage, but they also have a camouflage advantage. Hiding in trenches, trees, and natural formations, the Americans cannot be seen. This means that not only is the enemy (the Americans) is too far away too shoot, but also that you don’t even know where to shoot.

            To add to the fear factor, the Americans signal each other by making loud turkey gobbling, that indicates who they’re shooting and when they’re shooting. This creates a scenario for the British: You are 3000 miles away from home. Your family depends on your survival. You are fighting with an unknown enemy, who are hiding among trees and your uniform makes a perfect target. You don’t know where the enemies are and even if you do, your inferior rifle can’t shoot that far. You hear some gobbling. You wonder if you are going to die. BAM! Your idolized officer has fallen. Another gobbling, and your life is in peril. With each gobbling your heart nearly stops.

            The first major conflict was the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. This battle was for the possession for Freeman’s farm. Horatio Gates allowed Benedict Arnold to lead. The advantage was constantly between the troops; and whenever the Americans were disorganized, Arnold would rally the troops and charge in with them instead of standing back and let them do all the work. Arnold proved to be a true hero in this battle. After hours of bloodshed, the British received German reinforcements under Maj. Gen. Friedrich Riedesel. The British eventually made the Americans retreat and the British gained a slight victory.

            The victory however might be for the Americans. They had only lost 300 men wounded or dead (ten percent of the troops); while the British lost over 600 (nearly one third of the troops).

            The next major conflict was the Battle of Bemis Heights. Arnold was relieved of his command by General Horatio Gates, but that didn’t stop him. He sneaked out and helped rallied the forces against the British. Arnold noticed Horatio Gates as the leading officer, and Fraser at his right hand man; and told Morgan (the person in charge of the riflemen) about it. Morgan told Tim Murphy about this. Murphy climbed a tree and managed to kill Fraser. The death of Fraser was what made Burgoyne retreat and thus lost the battle. Arnold then rallied his troop to go after the British and when this happened, he managed to severely injure himself in the leg.

            After The Battle of Bemis Heights, Burgoyne was forced to eventually surrender. This convinced France to join the war, which would lead to our victory. Had the Battle of Saratoga not been won, over one million people’s independence might have been delayed decades, or maybe even until World War Two, like Canada. People willing to undertake the Manifest destiny, the rails and canals that help bridge America, and the many more entrepreneur that would have taken place in a new America might even vanish from lack of a free America. Discoveries in industries might not be found since Britain would have limited industrialization to promote monopoly. Also, the Americans discovered their inner courage, there inner strength, and that there is a chance in winning the war. Freedom, entrepreneurship, and discovery would all be at stake on just one battle: The Battle of Saratoga.