| What makes it historical? |
General John Burgoyne had made a major gamble: if he could seize the New York capital of Albany, he could divide the colonies and break the Revolution. His plan depended on being met up by Colonel Barry St. Leger from the east and Sir William Howe in the south. Unfortunately for General Burgoyne, Sir Howe had his own campaign plans in Philadelphia, and the American victory at Fort Stanwix broke St. Leger’s campaign completely! Nonetheless, because of his victory at Fort Ticonderoga, General Burgoyne decided to risk it all and keep marching to Albany!
What he found downriver was an American force of 8,000, which grew to 17,000 between September 17 and October 8! They had a tremendous high-ground advantage with brilliant fortifications by Tadeusz Kościuszko! With terrain and the lack of British reinforcements on their side, American forces surrounded and forced surrender upon General Burgoyne, who retreated back to Canada! This was one of the most decisive victories in American and world history, and it sent a strong message, which brought France’s military might and funding into the fray, turning the tide of the war in favor of the Americans! |
