Preceden

Battle of Saratoga Timeline

(September 19 - October 17, 1777)

The Battle of Saratoga was a pivotal turning point in the American Revolutionary War, fought in September and October 1777 near Saratoga, New York. Comprising two major engagements at Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights, American forces under General Horatio Gates defeated British General John Burgoyne's invading army, leading to Burgoyne's surrender on October 17, 1777. The victory persuaded France to formally ally with the United States, dramatically changing the course of the war. Less

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Prelude and Strategy

British plan to divide the colonies with a three-way pincer movement

Jan 1, 1777

In 1777, the British command devised a plan to divide the colonies by launching a three-way pincer movement aimed at isolating New England, the heart of the American rebellion, from the other colonies.

Image source: Saratoga campaign

British plan to divide the colonies with a three-way pincer movement

French artillery arrives to strengthen the Continental Army

Apr 1777

A secret shipment of French artillery arrived in April 1777, including the de Vallière cannon, which played a crucial role in the American victory at Saratoga by strengthening the Continental Army's field artillery and enabling them to combat British forces effectively.

Image source: Canon de 12 de Vallière

French artillery arrives to strengthen the Continental Army

Burgoyne moves south from Quebec toward the Hudson Valley

Jun 1777

In June 1777, British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne moved south from the province of Quebec with his army, seeking to gain control of the upper Hudson River valley as part of Britain's strategy to split the colonies.

Image source: John Burgoyne

Burgoyne moves south from Quebec toward the Hudson Valley

Battles of Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga begins near Saratoga, New York

Sep 19, 1777

The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American Revolutionary War.

Second battle fought over the same ground on October 7

Oct 7, 1777

The second battle of Saratoga was fought on October 7, 1777 over the same ground as the September engagement. General Simon Fraser was mortally wounded in this phase of the battle; according to historian Luzader, a frequently told story claiming it was the work of Timothy Murphy, one of Morgan's men, could be a 19th-century fabrication.

American guns force the British surrender

Oct 17, 1777

The de Vallière guns were effectively used to help force the British surrender on October 17, 1777, when General Burgoyne capitulated with his army, marking a decisive American victory in the Revolutionary War.

Image source: Surrender of General Burgoyne

American guns force the British surrender

Aftermath and Recognition

First national day of Thanksgiving declared

Dec 18, 1777

In response to Burgoyne's surrender, Congress declared December 18, 1777, as a national day 'for solemn Thanksgiving and praise'; it was the nation's first official observance of a holiday with that name.

Image source: Thanksgiving (United States)

First national day of Thanksgiving declared

Arnold's seniority restored for his contribution at Saratoga

Feb 1778

In recognition of his contribution to the battles at Saratoga, General Benedict Arnold had his seniority restored, which he had lost after being passed over for promotion earlier in 1777.

Image source: Benedict Arnold

Arnold's seniority restored for his contribution at Saratoga

Stanley serves as Burgoyne's aide-de-camp into the 1780s

1780

Lord Stanley continued serving John Burgoyne as aide-de-camp after Burgoyne's 1782 appointment as Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, reflecting the enduring professional relationship between the two men following the Saratoga campaign.

Disastrous defeat at the Battle of Camden

Aug 16, 1780

Horatio Gates, the victor of Saratoga, led American forces to a disastrous defeat at the 1780 Battle of Camden, where he was at the forefront of a panicked retreat that damaged his reputation.

Image source: Battle of Camden

Disastrous defeat at the Battle of Camden

Arnold serves under Phillips in a Virginia expedition

1781

Benedict Arnold went on to serve under William Phillips, who had commanded Burgoyne's right wing at Saratoga, in a 1781 expedition into Virginia during the later stages of the Revolutionary War.

Image source: William Phillips (British Army officer)

Arnold serves under Phillips in a Virginia expedition

Legacy and Preservation

USS Saratoga named after the battles

1842

There are a number of ships named after the battles, including USS Saratoga (1842), USS Saratoga (CV-3), and USS Saratoga (CV-60), commemorating the pivotal American victory in the Revolutionary War.

Image source: USS Saratoga (1842)

USS Saratoga named after the battles

Saratoga National Historical Park listed on National Register

1966

The battlefield and the site of Burgoyne's surrender have been preserved and are now administered by the National Park Service as the Saratoga National Historical Park, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Image source: Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park listed on National Register

Archeological work at Saratoga battlefield

1972 - 1977

From 1972 to 1977, at the request of the National Park Service, archeologist Dean R. Snow conducted investigations at the Saratoga battlefield to better understand and document the sites of the 1777 engagements.

American Battlefield Trust preserves 26 acres of battlefield

Jul 2023

As of mid-2023, the American Battlefield Trust and its partners have acquired and preserved 26 acres of the battlefield adjacent to the Saratoga National Historical Park, helping protect the historic landscape for future generations.

Key Facts

  1. The Battle of Saratoga consisted of two engagements: Freeman's Farm on September 19, 1777, and Bemis Heights on October 7, 1777.
  2. British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of about 6,000 troops to American General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777.
  3. The American victory convinced France to enter the war as an ally of the United States, signing the Treaty of Alliance in February 1778.
  4. Benedict Arnold played a crucial role in the American victory despite being wounded at Bemis Heights; he later defected to the British side.
  5. Saratoga is widely considered the turning point of the American Revolution because it transformed a colonial rebellion into an international war against Britain.

Source

This Battle of Saratoga timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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