The Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19, 1777) was the first engagement in the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. American Forces under Major General Horatio Gates gave up the field to the British expedition commanded by Lt. General John Burgoyne, but inflicted heavy casualties. The battle is sometimes known as First Saratoga, and it stopped Burgoyne's advance in the Saratoga Campaign. It also set the stage for the remaining standoff and actions for the rest of the Saratoga Battle. Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, allies British Empire, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was the military component of the American Revolution. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 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. ... The Continental Army was the unified command structure of the thirteen colonies fighting Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. ... Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ... Daniel Morgan (July 6, 1736–July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and Congressman from Virginia. ... 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. ... 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. ... Simon Fraser has been the name of several prominent North Americans. ... 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. ... His son used the same name, and was a Colonel who died at the Battle of Waterloo. ... 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. ... Combatants United States Britain Six Nations Commanders Nicholas Herkimer† Sir John Johnson Strength 800 450 Casualties 200 killed or wounded 150 killed or wounded 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 Germantown was in the American Revolutionary War. ... 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. ... Combatants Patriot militia Britain Hessian Army Commanders John Lacey William Howe Strength ? ? Casualties None None The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle of the American Revolutionary War and was fought on May 1, 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. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd 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, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was the military component of the American Revolution. ... 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. ... The Saratoga Campaign was a 1777 initiative by the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. ...

Background

General Burgoyne led the main expedition of the Saratoga Campaign south from Canada towards Albany, New York. They had taken all the positions and forces in their path. American resistance got firmer as the British crossed to the west bank of the Hudson River, about nine miles south of Saratoga, New York. The Americans had fortified the elevation known as Bemis Heights. Burgoyne would make two attempts to sweep them aside, and this entire action is known as the Battle of Saratoga. This battle, Freeman's Farm, was the first of those, and the Battle of Bemis Heights almost three weeks later was the second. Motto: Nickname: Map Political Statistics Founded 1614 Incorporated 1686 Albany County Mayor Gerald D. Jennings Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 56. ... 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. ... 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. ... 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. ...

The British were to advance in three columns toward the heights 2 miles to their south. Major General Riedesel led the left column of Brunswickers on the river road bringing the main artillery and guarding supplies and the boats on the river. General James Inglis Hamilton commanded the center which would attack the heights. General Simon Fraser led the right wing with both the light infantry and grenadier battalions, to turn the American left flank. The American right was anchored by the Hudson River. 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. ... His son used the same name, and was a Colonel who died at the Battle of Waterloo. ... Simon Fraser (1729-1777) was a British general during the American Revolutionary War who was killed in the Battle of Bemis Heights. ... 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. ... A Grenadier was originally a specialized assault trooper for siege operations, first established as a distinct role in the early 17th century. ...

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 an Benedict Arnold.

The American forces were not particularly well organized or prepared for this engagement. General Gates had just taken command of the Northern Department, after Burgoyne captured Ticonderoga. Washington had sent a number of experienced units north, so that Saratoga's battles had regulars on both sides. Before this Burgoyne had mostly faced militia. 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). ... The overall Continental Army of the American Revolutionary War was organized into six departments for command and administrative purposes. ... Lexington Minuteman representing militia minuteman John Parker A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

But, the American command structure was troubled. Benedict Arnold nominally had command of the left wing. However, he not only had no orders for battle, Gates would only authorize a reconnaissance. Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ...

Description of the Battle

The British did not get an early start. They had very little knowledge of the American forces or their arrangement, and a morning fog limited their vision. By noon it had burned off, and they got underway.

Arnold, meanwhile, had ridden out to the far left flank, and asked Colonel Daniel Morgan's men to stop Fraser's advance. Both Morgan and Arnold preferred to strike while the British were in columns, moving through the woods. Arnold took advantage of his earlier orders which would permit an in-force reconnaissance, to order Morgan's and Henry Dearborn's light infantry battalion forward. As Morgan's Virginia riflemen came up to the clearing at Freeman's Farm, they found the advance party of Fraser's column in the field. The first shots dropped every officer in the advance, and threw the others into retreat. Daniel Morgan (July 6, 1736–July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and Congressman from Virginia. ... 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. ...

When they saw this Morgan's men charged recklessly forward. Supported by Dearborn's fire they managed to drive Fraser's light infantry back into the center column of General Hamilton. But this enthusiasm broke when they ran into the grenadier battalion's bayonets, and the American advance became a quick retreat. This set the pattern for the remainder of the battle.

Morgan was working hard to reform his regiment south of the field. Knowing that Morgan was in trouble, Arnold ordered Enoch Poor's brigade of New York and New Hampshire regulars (1st NH, 2nd NH, 3rd NH, 2nd NY and 4th NY) with Connecticut militia to extend the American left. He also ordered General Ebenezer Learned with four regiments of the Continental Army (1st NY, 2nd, 8th and 9th Massachusetts Regiment) to support Morgan toward the center. Burgoyne was not idle, and ordered both Fraser and Hamilton to form up using the farm's fields as their rallying point. Enoch Poor (June 21, 1736 – September 8, 1780) was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ... Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 46th 24,239 km² 110 km 305 km 3. ... 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. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 48th 14,371 km² 113 km 177 km 12. ... Ebenezer Learned (April 18, 1728-April 1, 1801) was a Brigadier General in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. ... The Continental Army was the unified command structure of the thirteen colonies fighting Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. ... 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. ...

As the British gathered in the field, massed fire from Poor's regiments drove them back, with serious losses. Again, the British repulsed an American charge. Arnold himself led a charge toward the center with five regiments, but could not succeed in separating Fraser's wing from Burgoyne's other forces. Three times Arnold rode back to headquarters, begging Gates to attack or give him enough men to break the British. His only response was an order to release Alexander Scammel's 3rd New Hampshire Regiment to guard headquarters, and finally an order removing Arnold himself from the battle. Alexander Scammel sometimes Scammell (1747-1781) was born in Mendon, Massachusetts and as a young man was a graduate of Harvard College in 1769. ... 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 final stroke of the battle belonged to the British. Burgoyne ordered Riedesel to leave a light guard with the column and advance on Freeman's farm. Riedesel led his Hessians, with artillery support through a ravine that the Americans had thought impassable. This additional force allowed the British to succeed in claiming the fields and the farm.

Aftermath

Burgoyne had taken the farm, but suffered about 600 casualties, most of them to Hamilton's center column. Not only could he ill afford the men and equipment lost, he had lost the initiative. American losses were just over 300 killed and seriously wounded. The British and Hessian forces constructed redoubts on the farm and fortified their original crossing point of the Hudson.

At the end of the battle both sides were dug in about 2 miles apart. Burgoyne's force was down to about 6,000 effective fighters, and was short on supplies and rations. Gates still had about 7,000, with more militia arriving every day.

Gates quickly reported a sharp action to the Congress and New York's governor. While the field commanders and men universally credited Arnold for their success, Gates' best efforts were to ensure that no one other than himself got credit. Arnold's protests were loudest in what he viewed as a slight to Learned, Poor, and Morgan and their men. The rift seperating Arnold and Gates grew ever deeper, and Gates ensured that Arnold had no command going in the Battle of Bemis Heights. 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. ...