1. A Great and Glorious Event: Saratoga 1777

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

3. 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 Military Operations 1775-1777

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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. DIME British Military Strategy Territorial Gains – Hope that Destruction of American Forces Result Seek Decisive Battle RN supports ground operations

10. DIME American Military Strategy War of Posts Fabian Strategy – Preserve of the Army – Strike only when Conditions are Favorable React to British Moves

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. Howe and Philadelphia xxxx xxx xx X x

15. 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?

16. xxx xxxx x June-October 1777 British Plans Saratoga Campaign xx X x xxx

17. Washington’s Challenges Preserve the Army Defend Philadelphia and Congress Defend the Hudson Highlands Provide Support to the Northern Army facing Burgoyne Gather and Process Intelligence on Howe’s and Burgoyne’s Intentions React to Howe’s Movements

18. British Command Team

19. 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

20. American Command Team

21. 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

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

23. xxx June Aug Sept Oct 1777 July 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 xxx xxxx x x x x x June-October 1777 Burgoyne’s Expedition Saratoga Campaign June-September 1777

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

26. Burgoyne’s Plan of Attack

27. 2200 2100 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 noon 1100 1000 0900 0800 0700 0600 0500 0400 0300 0200 0100 0000 Fraser Hamilton Riedesel Gates 7,000 Freeman’s Farm September 19, 1777 Burgoyne 7,500 19 Sep 77

28. Casualties at Freeman’s Farm More or less a draw – Brits keep field – but they are also stopped in attempt to get to Albany British – 600 soldiers killed, wounded and missing/captured – 10% of the force Americans – 300 killed, wounded, and missing.

29. Clinton to the Rescue? Clinton Ordered by Howe to forward Reinforcements to Him for Philadelphia Campaign, but... Help Burgoyne if Possible Clinton Received Limited and Mixed Messages from Burgoyne Departed NYC North with 3,000 men on 3 Oct Seized Forts Montgomery and Clinton MG Vaughan continued up Hudson Vaughan reached Esopus, NY on 16 Oct 45 Miles from Albany and 70 Miles South of Burgoyne Vaughan Returned to NYC on 17 Oct

30. xxx June Aug Sept Oct 1777 July 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 June-October 1777 Burgoyne’s Expedition Saratoga Campaign September-October 1777

31. Hudson River Miles N To Albany Mill Creek American Bridge of Boats Bemis Tavern Bemis Heights Gates’ HQ Neilson’s House Barber House Middle Ravine Great Ravine Sword’s House To Saratoga 01/2 1 British Bridge of Boats Freeman’s Farm Bemis Heights October 7, 1777 Balcarres’ Redoubt Breymann’s Redoubt Burgoyne 6,500 Gates 11,000+ 2200 2100 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 noon 1100 1000 0900 0800 0700 0600 0500 0400 0300 0200 0100 0000 7 Oct 778 Oct 77

32. 2 nd Battle of Saratoga – Bemis Heights – Casualties BritishAmerican KIA27830 Total894200

33. 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

34. Why did the British Lose? Faulty Strategy London’s Failure to Coordinate Complex Plan No Unity of Command Burgoyne’s Decisions: Ignored Howe’s 5 April Letter Delay at Skenesboro Failure to Retreat after 1 st Battle Americans had something to do with it: Schuyler’s Decisions Washington’s Assistance Arnold’s Dynamic Combat Leadership What if Burgoyne had succeeded?

35. Aftermath: Short Term Loss of one of two field armies in NA British Regulars Defeated in Open Battle Loss of key leaders Loyalist support a chimera Stunning Defeat hurt British morale Stunning Victory boosts American morale Looming threat of overt foreign intervention Tough for British to replace combat losses Protracted war seemed inevitable France gets serious about potential alliance Gates conspires to undermine Washington British change all major commanders British forced to conduct reassessment of military strategy

36. 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

37. National Policy Objectives Post-Saratoga Independence End the Rebellion Accept almost any terms short of Independence Refocus on France

38. DIME British Military Strategy Naval war – Blockade and Interdict Limited offensive operations Reduce bases to defend Defend Homeland and Overseas Possessions Attack French Possessions Southern Strategy

39. DIME American 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

40. 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)

41. Questions?

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

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

44. 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

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

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

47. 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

48. Saratoga Campaign Timeline 1776 10 DecBurgoyne Presents his “Observations” 26 DecBattle of Trenton 1777 3 JanBattle of Princeton 28 FebBurgoyne Presents Modified Plan 20 JanHowe send Letters Outlining New ‘77 Campaign 26 MarGermain Issues Orders to Burgoyne 5 AprHowe’s Letter to Carlton outlining His Intent 18 May Germain authorizes Howe to take Philadelphia 17 JunBurgoyne Departs Canada toward Albany 6 JulBurgoyne Takes Fort Ticonderoga 23 JulHowe departs NYC for Philadelphia Campaign

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

50. 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.”

51. 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

52. 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

53. Carlisle Peace Commission Led by King’s Friend, Frederick Howard, 5 th 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 Carlisle Authorized to Offer: Almost Anything Short of Independence

54. 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

55. 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.”