Battle of saratoga how many died

The Battle of Saratoga fought in two stages on September 19 and October 7, , proved to be a turning point in the American struggle for independence. It also had a direct impact on the career of General George Washington. Without the victory at Saratoga, American forces would likely not have received critical assistance from the French, and faith in the war effort would have been weakened. But the victory of General Horatio Gates at Saratoga also led to a serious but ultimately unsuccessful effort to replace Washington with Gates as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

The battle of Saratoga took place on the fields of upstate New York, nine miles south of the town of Saratoga. Burgoyne had under his command an army of 7, troops with which he hoped to establish British dominance throughout the state of New York. Opposing Burgoyne was General Horatio Gates with a force of 9, soldiers, later joined by 2, additional troops. The ensuing battle was divided into two encounters, the first on September 19 and the second on October 7.

Because Benedict Arnold anticipated the British maneuver, however, a significant contingent of American forces had been placed between the British and the main body of the American army. From there, American artillery will have the range to hit both the river and the road. In order to attack, the British will have to use the road, as the forest and vegetation to the east are too dense to permit effective troop movements.

The Americans also erect a fortified wall a little less than a mile from Bemis Heights. The wall extends about three-quarters of a mile, creating a line shaped like a large "L". Twenty-two cannons are placed behind this defense, providing the Americans with ample artillery cover.

September Burgoyne divides his army, numbering about 7,, into three columns. He wants to use each column to probe American defenses. It is a hotly contested fight, with the field changing hands several times.

By evening, the British, reinforced by German Hessians, hold the field, but the action has blunted their forward motion. Having lost almost troops and expecting to be reinforced by Gen. Until Clinton relieves them, British forces are literally trapped in the New York wilderness with scant supplies.

Food stores dwindle, and the troops are reduced to half-rations. While the British remain stuck, the American army is replenished and grows to 13, strong. October 7. The British are looking for a way out of their predicament. Burgoyne sends a reconnaissance force to attack Americans at Bemis Heights, but the patriots get wind of the plan and force the British to withdraw to their well-defended Balcarres Redoubt.

Several hundred yards north is the Breymann Redoubt, defended by only German soldiers and officers. It is no match for the Americans. With Gen. Benedict Arnold riding out in front to rally the troops, the patriots capture the redoubt. Arnold is seriously wounded in the left leg. On October 8, the British army attempts to escape north, but a cold, hard rain forces them to stop and encamp near the town of Saratoga.

Hungry, weary, and out of options, they dig in and prepare to defend themselves, but within two days the Americans have them surrounded. On October 17, after a week's negotiation, Burgoyne's army surrenders.

The Battlefield is the largest of the three Park units, at about acres. Q: How many soldiers fought in the Battles of Saratoga? A: September 19, --British: about ; American: about Q: Is there a comprehensive list of all the soldiers who fought in the Battles of Saratoga? A: Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive list.

Further, many variables exist between different sources for such information, such as which army German, British, American , which state, Continental versus Milita troops, etc. Q: Isn't it true that Benedict Arnold was the hero of Saratoga?

The Battle of Saratoga. The Saratoga County Chamber. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. They clashed with a larger force of American soldiers led by General Horatio Gates Skirmishes between British troops and colonial The outcome in Yorktown, Virginia marked the conclusion of On December 31, , during the American Revolutionary War , Patriot forces under Colonel Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery attempted to capture the British-occupied city of Quebec and with it win support for the American cause in Tensions had been building for many years between residents of the 13 American colonies and the British authorities, particularly in Massachusetts.

On the night In the Battle of Trenton December 26 , Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries