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

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
Arnold rallies troops at Saratoga
Monument to Arnolds wounded leg at Saratoga National Park

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