A Great and Glorious Event: Saratoga 1777

1. A Great and Glorious Event: Saratoga 1777

2. “I have beat them! I have beat the Americans!” -- King George III

3. Military Operations 1775-1777 • Lexington and Concord (Apr 75) • Fort Ticonderoga (May 75) • Bunker Hill (Jun 75) • Washington in Command (Jul 75) • Quebec (Dec 75) • British evacuate Boston (Mar 76) • Battles of Long Island and NYC and American withdrawal (Aug-Sep 76) • Americans Stop British advance from the North (Oct 76) • Battle of Trenton (Dec 76) • Battle of Princeton (Jan 77) Operations from 1775-1777

4. National Policy Objectives Pre-Saratoga • Independence • Suppress the Rebellion • Return to Status Quo “. . . to treat with independence can never be possible!” -- King George III

5. DIMEBritish Military Strategy • Territorial Gains – Hope that Destruction of American Forces Result • Seek Decisive Battle • RN supports ground operations

6. DIMEAmerican Military Strategy • War of Posts • Fabian Strategy – Preserve of the Army – Strike only when Conditions are Favorable • React to British Moves

7. Strategic Situation, 1777 • Washington and his Army Escaped Destruction • Washington stops the Bleeding at Trenton and Princeton • British in possession of New York • Generals Howe and Burgoyne Present Different Plans

8. Howe vs. Burgoyne • Howe presents Plans to Lord Germain in November 1776 and February 1777 • Seize Philadelphia • Force Washington into a Decisive Battle • Burgoyne presents “Thoughts” to the King and Germain in February 1777 • Burgoyne Advocates Invasion from Canada • Link with Howe at Albany • Split Colonies in Half

9. xxx x xxxx What Burgoyne Wanted British Plans June-October 1777

10. xxxx Howe and Philadelphia xxx xxXx

11. British Plan for 1777 • Sense of Urgency after Trenton-Princeton • Howe to Conduct Operation to seize Philadelphia • After taking Philly, Cooperate with Burgoyne • Burgoyne to Invade NY from Canada with Two Columns: • Main Force Down Lake Champlain • Supporting Force Down Mohawk River Valley • Problems?

12. xxx x xxxx xxXx xxx Saratoga Campaign British Plans June-October 1777

13. British Command Team

14. Lieutenant General John Burgoyne • “Gentleman Johnny” • Served in War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War • Participated in Siege of Boston and Served in Canadian and Northern Campaigns of 1776 • Favorite of King George III • Aggressive – Favored Active Offensive Operations

15. American Command Team

16. Major General Horatio Gates • “Granny Gates” • Former British Army Officer • Served with Washington in French and Indian War • Favored Defensive Operations against British • Previous Experience in the North • Replaced Schuyler on 19 August

17. Comparison of Forces Major General Horatio Gates Lieutenant General John Burgoyne Troops Troops 6,500 Continentals 4,000 English Regulars 3,000 German Mercenaries 1,500+ Militia 650 Canadians 500 Indians 500 Soldiers BG Barry St. Leger 900 Indians 52 Cannon Major General Benedict Arnold

18. x x xxx xxxx x x x xxx Saratoga Campaign June-September 1777 Burgoyne’s Expedition 1777 June-October 1777 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 Oct Sept Aug July June

19. 30 25 20 15 10 5 1 30 25 20 15 10 5 1 30 25 20 15 10 5 1 xxx x Saratoga July-September 1777 x x xxx 1777 Sep Aug July

20. Sword’s House To Saratoga Great Ravine Barber House Freeman’s Farm Middle Ravine British Bridge of Boats N Neilson’s House Mill Creek Gates’ HQ Hudson River Bemis Heights Bemis Tavern American Bridge of Boats Miles To Albany 0 1/2 1 Burgoyne’s Plan of Attack

21. Sword’s House To Saratoga Great Ravine Barber House Freeman’s Farm Middle Ravine British Bridge of Boats N Neilson’s House Mill Creek Gates’ HQ Hudson River Bemis Heights Bemis Tavern American Bridge of Boats Miles To Albany 0 1/2 1 Riedesel Freeman’s Farm September 19, 1777 Burgoyne 7,500 19 Sep 77 Hamilton 2200 2100 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 noon 1100 1000 0900 0800 0700 0600 0500 0400 0300 0200 0100 0000 Fraser Gates 7,000

22. xxx xxx xxx Saratoga Campaign September-October 1777 Burgoyne’s Expedition 1777 June-October 1777 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 30 25 20 15 10 5 Oct Sept Aug July June

23. 8 Oct 77 7 Oct 77 Sword’s House Bemis Heights October 7, 1777 Burgoyne 6,500 2200 2100 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 noon 1100 1000 0900 0800 0700 0600 0500 0400 0300 0200 0100 0000 To Saratoga Breymann’s Redoubt Great Ravine Barber House Balcarres’ Redoubt Freeman’s Farm Middle Ravine British Bridge of Boats N Neilson’s House Mill Creek Gates’ HQ Gates 11,000+ Hudson River Bemis Heights Bemis Tavern American Bridge of Boats Miles To Albany 0 1/2 1

24. Burgoyne’s Surrender, 17 October 1777 • Started with almost 10,000 Troops • 3,500 Effectives Left on 14 Oct • Surrendered 5,895 Men – 3,018 Brits and 2414 German • 1,728 British and German Troops KIA or Captured • 1,297 at Ticonderoga • Remaining Deserted or MIA • The Convention

25. Aftermath: Long Term • Franco-American Alliance signed on 6 February 1778 • War now global with North America a secondary theater • British attempt a negotiated peace with America • British change focus of their military strategy to the South and against French possessions and Navy • American combat power now augmented with French troops and Navy

26. National Policy ObjectivesPost-Saratoga • Independence • End the Rebellion • Accept almost any terms short of Independence • Refocus on France

27. DIMEBritish Military Strategy • Naval war – Blockade and Interdict • Limited offensive operations • Reduce bases to defend • Defend Homeland and Overseas Possessions • Attack French Possessions • Southern Strategy

28. DIMEAmerican Military Strategy • Take Advantage of French Sea Power • Continue Fabian Strategy • Cooperate with French Army in Large-Scale Opns • Exhaust British Army using Irregular Warfare

29. Military Turning Points of the American Revolution • Battles of Lexington and Concord (Apr 75) • Battles of Trenton/Princeton (Dec 76-Jan 77) • Saratoga Campaign (Jun-Oct 77) • Siege of Yorktown (Oct 81)

30. Questions?

31. Policy-Strategy Formulation Policy Strategy Formulation D I M E “Levels of War” Strategic War Operational Campaigns Tactical Battles “War is merely the continuation of policy by other means.” - Carl von Clausewitz

32. British Strengths • British Military Best in World • Royal Navy • Population • Ability to Raise Money • German Mercenaries

33. British Weaknesses • Fighting Far from Home • A Very Tough Political and Military Objective • Geography • Expense • Domestic Political Opposition • No Allies • Unrest in Ireland • Leadership Issues • Had to Conquer to Win

34. American Weaknesses • Finances • Lack of Basic Supplies • Divided Loyalties • National Institutions • Colonies Poorly Organized and Disunited • Lack of Indian Support

35. American Strengths • Mostly Intangibles • Strong Leadership • Resiliency • Covert Support from Europe • Geography • A Draw is a Win • Clarity of Vision

36. Burgoyne’s March Left Small Garrison at Fort Ticonderoga Marched overland Schuyler fell back – destroying bridges, blocking roads, harassing Rate of March: 1 mile per day Arrived at Fort Edward on 1 Aug Burgoyne desperately short of supplies, horses, wagons, oxen Burgoyne’s Indians’ depredations drew out militia reinforcements New England Militia arrived by the hundreds Burgoyne dispatched column of 650 Germans to forage for supplies New Hampshire Militia force of 2000 annihilated the Column at Bennington on 16 Aug Burgoyne moved West of Hudson and continued South – logistical problems getting worse each day and no help in sight from Howe (Indians deserted – little Intel) Gates had replaced Schuyler on 19 Aug – changed nothing, but morale improved American continues to gather strength as Burgoyne’s slips away Gates moves forward to high ground south of Saratoga – surveyed and prepared by COL Kosciusko – block Burgoyne’s advance to Albany Set stage for first battle of Saratoga on 19 September

37. Saratoga Campaign Timeline 1776 10 Dec Burgoyne Presents his “Observations” 26 Dec Battle of Trenton 1777 3 Jan Battle of Princeton 28 Feb Burgoyne Presents Modified Plan 20 Jan Howe send Letters Outlining New ‘77 Campaign 26 Mar Germain Issues Orders to Burgoyne 5 Apr Howe’s Letter to Carlton outlining His Intent 18 May Germain authorizes Howe to take Philadelphia 17 Jun Burgoyne Departs Canada toward Albany 6 Jul Burgoyne Takes Fort Ticonderoga 23 Jul Howe departs NYC for Philadelphia Campaign

38. Saratoga Campaign Timeline (cont) 1777 1 Aug Burgoyne arrives at the Hudson River 16 Aug Battle of Bennington 19 Aug Gates Replaces Schuyler as Cdr Northern Army 25 Aug Howe’s Army disembarks at Chesapeake Bay 9-11 Sep Battle of Brandywine Creek 19 Sep 1st Battle of Saratoga – Freeman’s Farm 26 Sep Howe takes Philadelphia 4 Oct Battle of Germantown 7 Oct 2nd Battle of Saratoga – Bemis Heights 17 Oct Burgoyne Surrenders 17 Oct Clinton Abandons Attempt to Assist Burgoyne 2 Dec Official News of Disaster Reaches London

39. Reactions Germain “began to despair of success if they [America] should continue united.” North had “hoped [Howe’s Philadelphia] campaign had produced events, which would enable us to enforce a conciliation with the colonies, on true constitutional grounds” and we must “get out of the dispute as soon as possible.” Duke of Marlborough to North: “I hope you will not think of sending more troops, for I suppose, they may as well think of subduing the ocean by force of arms.”

40. Parliamentary Opposition • King’s 20 November 1777 speech: • Desire to end the war • Reiterated goal to end rebellion • Must prepare for threat from Spain and France • Whigs dispute Administration’s optimism • Chatham argues to switch focus from America to Spain and France • 3-5 December Parliamentary Sessions – “a melancholy disaster” • Germain and North savaged • Burke, Fox, and Wilkes accuse ministers of criminal negligence

41. King’s Strategic Guidance We must view Saratoga in its “true light, as very serious, but not without remedy; it may very probably on due consideration, which I trust all in my service will be willing to give, in the end prove the wisest step in our present situation to act only on the defensive with the army, and great activity as to the troops. Canada, Nova Scotia, the Floridas, New York, and Rhode Island, must probably be the stations, but those who have served in those parts, particularly Lord Amherst, must be consulted, and will be able to point out what is best.” -- King George III, Dec 4, 1777

42. Carlisle Peace Commission • Led by King’s Friend, Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle • Comprised of Diplomats and Senior Military Officials • In combination with Parliament’s repeal of most repugnant measures • Coupled with new military strategy • CarlisleAuthorized to Offer: • Almost Anything Short of Independence

43. Means or Resources • Sandwich’s call for increases in naval forces • Germain’s efforts to increase levies to replace Burgoyne’s forces • Germain explored option of raising Irish regiments that could be employed overseas • 15,000 additional recruits from Scotland and Wales • No alliance partners • New focus on Homeland Defense – Resource Drain • Change of Commanders throughout North America

44. Poisonous Relations between Senior Officers • Howe hated Germain: asked to be relieved in October 1777 • Clinton hated Howe and Germain and Howe had “little confidence in Mr. Clinton.” • Clinton was “jealous of Burgoyne” • General Sir Guy Carleton “has shewn the utmost indifference for all these gentlemen.”