The British recognized the strategic importance of communication from New York Troops march from Boston to New York in April of 1776 American storehouses of military supplies 45,000 British against 20,000 Patriots General Burgoyne and 10,000 troops had the intention of taking Albany, New York General Burgoyne underestimated the enemy and lost; led to loss at Saratoga Washington used Thomas Paine to boost the morale of his troops in Dec. 1776 The US caught the British soldiers sleeping, killing over 100 men and taking another 1000 prisoners Patriots chose the high ground near Chadds Ford to defend against the British Over 15,000 Patriots surrounded and outnumbered the British and Burgoyne surrendered in October 1777 On September 26, 1777, British forces marched into Philadelphia Washington crossed the Delaware River in a snowstorm There were a group of British and Hessian soldiers located in New Jersey that could attack Philadelphia A portion of the British army was to advance to meet Washington at Chadds Ford, while the remainder were to march north to a ford Washington had overlooked and then march south to flank the American forces Burgoyne failed to obtain his needed supplies. His army was thus weaker against the Continental forces at Saratoga