1777

1. 1777 Upper New York/Philadelphia “A Tale of Two Armies…”

2. Ben Franklin goes to France • On Dec. 28th, 1776 Benjamin Franklin arrives in France • Attempt to negotiate alliance with France • Weapons already being sent • Needed military, naval support • Although France is eager to defeat its arch nemesis, Britain, it doesn’t want to back a loser • Franklin needs to prove that the Americans can win the war • Franklin needs a decisive American victory

3. British split their forces • As the campaigning season of 1777 would begin, the British would split their army • John Burgoyne would lead an effort to take Upper New York (Northern army) • Tried to isolate New England from rest of states • Howe would lead an effort to take Philadelphia (Southern army ) • Most important, populous American city

4. Howe’s route to Philly • Howe decided to take a sea route • Much longer • Wasted valuable time, supplies • Was only 40 miles closer than when he started • Landed in Chesapeake Bay in August 1777

5. Battle of Brandywine Creek • Washington’s 11,000 soldiers positioned themselves between Howe’s 15,000 and Philadelphia • At Chad’s Ford, PA near Brandywine River • On Sept. 11, Howe split his forces • Engaged Washington near Chad’s Ford • Took other half up river on a day long march, crossing at Jefferies Ford • Outflanked Americans and forced retreat

6. Brandywine Results • British victory, but strong American resistance • 1400 American casualties, 500 British • Americans put up hard fight for 8 hours • Morale not broken

7. Howe takes Philadelphia • Sept. 26 Howe and his army marches into and takes Philadelphia • Continental Congress eludes capture and moves to York, PA A

8. Germantown • Oct. 4, 1777 • Washington goes on the offensive • Attacks Howe’s 9,000 troops stationed outside Philly in Germantown • Supposed to be a surprising, simultaneous, four prong attack • Americans were not in-synch, but the element of surprise still works • After initial success, the Americans’ two flanking units fire on each other in heavy fog/smoke • Withdraw • With his flanks unsupported, Washington retreats some 16 miles to White Marsh • Howe does not pursue • French are impressed with audacity of attack

9. Germantown Americans attacking the British occupied Chew House in Germantown, 1777 B

10. White Marsh • Howe tries one last time to finish Washington at White Marsh, PA • Marched 14,000 troops on Dec. 5 • Howe sends detachments to test American lines • Washington’s men repel each attack • Howe never amounts a full scale attack, decides to return to PA for Winter • American Victory • Last major engagement of 1777 • On Dec. 11, Washington would retire troops to Valley Forge for winter "Washington at the George Emlen House, Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania" by Henry Ogden Alexander Video ClipsAB

11. Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign • “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne plans to sail down Hudson taking Albany, NY • St. Ledger sails down St. Lawrence • Take all land in between Hudson and Lake Ontario • Completely cut off New England

12. Americans in the North • Burgoyne would face mostly local militias • Washington was busy in Philly • Washington would reinforce militias with some battle-tested regulars, especially towards the end of the campaign • General Horatio Gates appointed American commander of Northern Forces General Horatio Gates

13. Burgoyne’s New York Campaign • Burgoyne departs from Montreal and sails down the Hudson, reclaiming Fort Ticonderoga on July 6, 1777 • American forces abandon fort after Burgoyne stations his men and guns on Defiance Hill, overlooking the fort Fort Ticonderoga

14. Burgoyne Rolls • Burgoyne continues down Hudson claiming American Forts and defeating American resistance as he goes • Hubberton, Vt. • Strong American resistance, slows British • Fort Anne • Burgoyne leaves troops to garrison each fort, and begins overland march • Americans chopped trees in his path to slow progress

15. Battle of Bennington • Aug. 16, 1777 • Burgoyne sends 1,250 troops (Hessians, Canadians, Tories) to raid Bennington, VT ammunition stores • 2,000 New Hampshire, Vermont & Massachusetts militia met British outside city • British quickly fortified small hill • American General John Stark led a successful 3 prong attack • Enveloped British • Over 1000 British causalities (700+ captured) Bennington Battle Monument in Bennington, Vt. Aug 16 is a legal holiday in Vt.

16. Saratoga (Freeman’s Farm) • As Burgoyne moves towards Albany with 6,000 troops, American Forces get in the way • American General Horatio Gates had fortified Bemis Heights in Saratoga County, NY with over 9,000 men • Militia and reinforcements from Washington • Hearing that the British were moving toward the Heights, on Sept. 19th, Gates sends Benedict Arnold to check on British advance • Arnold takes elite riflemen led by Daniel Morgan • Arnold turns reconnaissance into a battle and attacks the British in Freeman’s Farm • Americans fight hard but are outnumbered • Gates refuses to provide enough men to continue battle • Arnold retreats back to Heights • British fortify field • Heavy British casualties • 600 British casualties, 300 Americans

17. Saratoga (Bemis Heights) • Gates removes Arnold from command after Freeman’s Farm • Turning reconnaissance into Battle • Gates had taken all credit for British casualties at Freeman’s Field • Hated each other • After weeks of fortification, on Oct. 7th, the British (6,000) decide to attack Americans on Bemis Heights • Americans backed by thousands of local militia • Now over 12,000 men • Americans led by Benedict Arnold • Against orders • Instructs riflemen to aim for officers • Leads charge and rallies men • Falls wounded – leg • Americans take field and British retreat North

18. Saratoga • Burgoyne and his troops are stopped and surrounded when trying to retreat back across Hudson • American General Horatio Gates demands surrender • Burgoyne surrenders his entire Northern army of 6,000 on Oct. 17, 1777 Tower at Victory, New York where the surrender occurred. There are pedestals for four American heroes at the base above the doors. One of the pedestals is left empty to signify Benedict Arnold.

19. Benedict Arnold Benedict Arnold plays an instrumental role in the battle, but Gates accepts all credit for successes, leaving Arnold no glory as he healed in an Albany hospital Monument to Arnolds wounded leg at Saratoga National Park Arnold rallies troops at Saratoga

20. Surrender “Surrender of General Burgoyne” by John Trumbull. It hangs in the United States Capitol Rotunda.

21. The End of 1777 • American morale is high with surrender • Starting to perform more like a disciplined army • Strong showings at Brandywine Creek, Germantown, and Saratoga surrender impress French • Franklin is close to delivering France • Washington and his troops winter in Valley Forge, PA