Saratoga Campaign 19 September–17 October 1777

General Burgoyne’s plan to split the rebellious colonies along the Hudson River and to isolate New England, ended in major defeat for the British in the American Revolutionary War. There was to be a two-pronged attack at Saratoga; General St Leger was to travel through the St Lawrence River and Burgoyne through Lake Champlain. General Sir William Howe’s army planned to meet Burgoyne’s in New York. However, Howe’s army were called south to Philadelphia and Burgoyne arrived in Quebec to discover that he was 1,000 troops short. On 19 September, Burgoyne fought the first battle of Saratoga at Freeman’s Farm, where his army was defeated. The Bemis Heights battle on 7 October also resulted in a British defeat. In the aftermath, with 5,000 British surrounded by 20,000 American forces, Burgoyne surrended. Delayed by the Battle at Fort Stanwix (a British victory) St Leger’s forces could offer no support.