The Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7, 1777 is also known as the 2nd Battle of Saratoga since it was the second and last major engagement in the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. American forces under Major General Horatio Gates repelled the British Lt. General John Burgoyne's attempt to take their fortified position on the heights. The Battle of Ticonderoga on July 5 and July 6, 1777 was more a battle of maneuver than a direct conflict in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Oriskany was an engagement in American Revolutionary War, part of the Saratoga Campaign. ... Combatants Hessian mercenaries British Army troops Native Americans Vermont militiamen/Green Mountain Boys Massachusetts Commanders Friedrich Baum John Stark Strength 1400 1500 Casualties 207 killed 700 captured 40 killed 30 wounded The Battle of Bennington was a battle of the American Revolutionary War, taking place on August 16, 1777 not... Combatants United States Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 11,000 17,000 Casualties 250 killed, 750 wounded, 400 captured 89 killed, 487 wounded The Battle of Brandywine was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 11, 1777 near Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania|Chadds Ford]] on... The Battle of Freemans Farm (September 19, 1777) was the first engagement in the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Germantown was in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle of the American Revolution and was fought on 1 May 1778. ... The Battle of Monmouth was an inconclusive battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on June 28, 1778. ... Combatants British United States Commanders Robert Pigot John Sullivan Strength 7,139 10,100 Casualties at least 260 at least 211 The Battle of Rhode Island was a battle fought on August 29, 1778 when units of the Continental Army under the command of John Sullivan attempted to recapture Aquidneck... Combatants British United States and Vermont Republic Commanders Christopher Carleton Seth Warner Strength 454 soldiers plus sailors on the ships unknown number of local militia Casualties 1 killed, 17 missing and 1 wounded 79 captured, unknown killed and wounded {{{notes}}} On October 24, 1778 with snow already on the ground... The Battle of Vincennes was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on February 23 – February 25, 1779 when a small force of American soldiers led by George Rogers Clark encircled Fort Sackville at Vincennes, Indiana and continued marching around it until the Indians and British garrisoned there were... On July 15, 1779 General Anthony Wayne and his men attacked a British fortification located on the peninsula at Stony Point. ... The Battle of Newtown (29 August 1779) was the only major battle of the Sullivan Expedition, an armed offensive led by Gen. ... The Battle of Springfield was a battle fought in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Groton Heights was a battle of the American Revolutionary War. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years). ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants British United States Commanders John Burgoyne Horatio Gates Strength 10,000 15,000 Casualties 1,600 killed, wounded and/or missing, 6,000 captured 800 killed, wounded and/or missing {{{notes}}} The Battle(s) of Saratoga were considered by many historians to have been the turning point of the... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France,Netherlands, Spain, allies British Empire, German states, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War for Independence, was the military... Horatio Gates Horatio Gates (1726-1806) was an American general during the Revolutionary War. ... John Burgoyne John Burgoyne (February 24, 1723 – August 4, 1792) was a British general during the American Revolutionary War, infamous for his arrogance, pompous attitude, and vanity. ...

Plan of battlefield of Battle of Saratoga and views of John Neilson's House from south, east and inside that served as the headquarters for the Generals Enoch Poor and Benedict Arnold.

Download high resolution version (3168x4424, 3705 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Battle of Saratoga Battle of Freemans Farm Battle of Bemis Heights Categories: U.S. history images ... Download high resolution version (3168x4424, 3705 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Battle of Saratoga Battle of Freemans Farm Battle of Bemis Heights Categories: U.S. history images ... Combatants British United States Commanders John Burgoyne Horatio Gates Strength 10,000 15,000 Casualties 1,600 killed, wounded and/or missing, 6,000 captured 800 killed, wounded and/or missing {{{notes}}} The Battle(s) of Saratoga were considered by many historians to have been the turning point of the... Enoch Poor (June 21, 1736 – September 8, 1780) was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. ... Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ...

Background

The British plan to split the American colonies along the Hudson River to Lake Champlain line was faltering. Two of the three initiatives in the Saratoga Campaign strategy had already produced little or no advantage. Burgoyne's expedition had failed in its attempt to gather supplies, most notably in the Battle of Bennington on August 16. His previous attempt to flank the American position had stalled in the first engagement of Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman's Farm on September 19. With supplies running low and no sign of the support expected from General William Howe in New York City, he had to attack the Americans blocking his route to Albany. View of the Hudson in the 1880s showing Jersey City The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican, is a river running mainly through New York State but partly forming the boundary between the states of New York and New Jersey. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... The Saratoga Campaign was a 1777 initiative by the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants Hessian mercenaries British Army troops Native Americans Vermont militiamen/Green Mountain Boys Massachusetts Commanders Friedrich Baum John Stark Strength 1400 1500 Casualties 207 killed 700 captured 40 killed 30 wounded The Battle of Bennington was a battle of the American Revolutionary War, taking place on August 16, 1777 not... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The Battle of Freemans Farm (September 19, 1777) was the first engagement in the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... For the surrealist painter, see William Howe (painter). ... Nickname: The Big Apple Motto: Official website: City of New York Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... Motto: Nickname: Map Location in Albany County, New York Political Statistics Founded 1614 Sister Cities {{{sister cities}}} Incorporated 1686 County Albany County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Gerald D. Jennings Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Water 56. ...

The American forces had been growing during the time between battles. So his attack on the American left now faced Major General Benjamin Lincoln's division. This division had General Ebenezer Learned's and Enoch Poor's brigades, Colonel Henry Dearborn's light infantry battalion, and Colonel Daniel Morgan's riflemen. Expanded by militia units, the division now had about 3,800 men with another 1,200 militia available for immediate support. Benjamin Lincoln ( 1733– 1810) was a General on the American side in the American Revolutionary War. ... Ebenezer Learned (April 18, 1728-April 1, 1801) was a Brigadier General in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. ... Enoch Poor (June 21, 1736 – September 8, 1780) was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. ... Henry Dearborn Henry Dearborn (February 23, 1751 – June 6, 1829) was an American physician, statesman and veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... Daniel Morgan (1736-1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and Congressman from Virginia. ... A rifle is a firearm that uses a spiral groove cut into the barrel to spin a projectile (usually a bullet), thus improving accuracy and range of the projectile. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

Battle description

Burgoyne's plan was to use three assault elements. Brigadier Simon Fraser was to slide past the Americans on their left and secure the positions for the artillery. Since he was going through woodlands he had the light infantry, along with the Canadian militia and ranger forces and Indian allies, for a total of about 700 men. Major General Riedesel's Brunswickers would make the main attack to occupy the American left, with about 1,100 men and supporting artillery. Meanwhile Major General William Phillips would attack in a left hook to separate the left from the main American forces positioned at Bemis Heights overlooking the Hudson River. Phillip's force was just over 400 men of Grenadier Battalion under Major John Dyke Acland and the Royal Artillery under Major Williams. Simon Fraser (1729-1777) was a British general during the American Revolutionary War who was killed in the Battle of Bemis Heights. ... Friedrich Adolph Riedesel who, like all adult men of his family, carried the title Freiherr (Baron)zu Eisenbach (1738 - 1800) was commander of a regiment of soldiers from the Duchy of Brunswick, who were among the German units hired by the British during the American Revolution. ... William Phillips (1731-1781) was an Artilleryman and General Officer in the British Army who served as a Major General in the American Revolutionary War. ... View of the Hudson in the 1880s showing Jersey City The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican, is a river running mainly through New York State but partly forming the boundary between the states of New York and New Jersey. ...

General Lincoln's men were extended northwest from Gates' fortifications on Bemis Heights. On the far left or western end were Colonels Morgan and Dearborn with a total of about 600 men. In his center was General Learned's brigade (1st NY, 2nd, 8th and 9th Massachusetts Regiment), expanded by militia to about 1,800 men. Tying his forces to the main positions was General Poor's brigade (1st NH, 2nd NH, 3rd NH, 2nd NY and 4th NY) of just over 1,400. Behind Learned, Brigadier General Abraham Ten Broeck led 1,200 New York militia in reserve. The 1st New York Regiment was raised on May 25, 1775 at Albany, New York for service with the Continental Army under Colonel Van Schaick. ... The 2nd Massachusetts Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Thomas outside of Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 8th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Sargent at Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... The 9th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 26th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Gerrish outside of Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was formed on April 26, 1775 seven days after the Battles of Lexington and Concord as the first of three Continental Army regiments raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolution. ... The 2nd New Hampshire Regiment also known as 2nd Continental Regiment was formed in early May, 1775 as the second of three Continental Army regiment raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolutionary War. ... The 3rd New Hampshire Regiment was formed on June 1, 1775 as the third of three Continental Army regiments raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolution. ... The 2nd New York Regiment was raised on May 25, 1775 at New York City, New York for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt. ... The 4th New York Regiment was raised on May 25, 1775 at Albany, New York for service with the Continental Army. ...

Having learned from the battle two weeks before, the attack started in the early afternoon. This would allow Burgoyne to withdraw at nightfall should it be necessary. The opening fire came from the Grenadiers' advance on Lincoln's right. Poor's men held fire, and the terrain made the fire largely ineffective. When Major Acland led a bayonet charge on their position, the Americans finally opened up at close range. Acland fell, shot in both legs, and many of the Grenadiers also went down. Their column was in total rout, and Poor's men advanced to take both force leaders prisoner and capture their artillery. Those that escaped returned to the redoubts at Freeman's Farm.

On the western end, things were also not going well for the British. Morgan's men swept aside the Canadians and Indians to engage Fraser's regulars. Although slightly outnumbered, Morgan managed to break up several British attempts to move west. Meanwhile, at Gates' headquarters, Benedict Arnold paced nervously at the sounds of battle. He had been removed from command, and Gates refused to see him. Finally, he leapt to his horse and rode towards the firing. Gates' only reaction was to send Major Armstrong out to order his return, but Armstrong couldn't catch up with him. Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ...

Arnold went first to the light battalions on the west of the line. When he saw Fraser rally his men repeatedly, he told Morgan that the man was worth a regiment. Morgan reacted by ordering him shot, and a marksman named Timothy Murphy obliged. Fraser fell mortally wounded, and his advance fell apart.

Next, Arnold rode to the central action. Learned's men were having a rough time handling the Hessian advance and were yielding ground. Arnold helped to rally them, and with Learned he led their counter attack. When Morgan, Dearborn, and Poor began to close on their sides, the Hessians also withdrew to their starting positions.

After just about an hour of sharp fighting, the British were back to their starting position. Not content with stopping the British advance, Arnold led Learned and his men in a charge on the first redoubt. Arnold fell, shot in the same leg he had earlier injured during the invasion of Canada, but Learned's brigade carried the redoubt. American Attack on Quebec. ...

Even though his injury kept him from combat, Arnold went to Brigadier General John Paterson's brigade (10th, 11th, 12th and 14th Massachusetts Regiment) to encourage him to support the earlier attacks. But here, Gates' orders caught up with him and removed him from action. Darkness ended the battle, and saved Burgoyne from further defeat. John Paterson (1744-1808) was a General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and a U.S. Congressman from New York. ... The 10th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 under Colonel Marshall at Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 11th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16th, 1776 under Colonel Ebenezer Francis at Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 12th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 18th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Phinney outside of Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 14th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 under Colonel Bradford at Boston, Massachusetts. ...

Aftermath

Burgoyne, already outnumbered 3 to 1, had lost 1,000 men, while American losses came to only about 500 killed and wounded. He had lost several of his most effective leaders. Not only had the maneuver failed, his forward line was now breached. That night he lit fires at his remaining forward positions, and withdrew under the cover of darkness. So on the morning of October 8, he was back in the fortified positions he had held on September 16. October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ...

But he was weaker than before, and had fewer supplies. The American forces were still growing stronger. The following day, he withdrew another 8 miles (12 km) to Saratoga, New York. The stage was set for the final act of the Battle of Saratoga and his later surrender. Saratoga is a town located in Saratoga County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5,141. ...