Saratoga; Turning Point in the American Revolution

by Martha Byrd Hoyle

Book Overview

Describes the immediate causes, events, and aftermath of the Saratoga campaign, a series of encounters which marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War in favor of the rebel colonists. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877691436
• ISBN13: 9780877691433
• Release Date: January 1973
• Publisher: Auerbach Publications
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Compact and readable

This is a compact (only 126 pages of text) and readable description of the Saratoga campaign. I emphasize campaign because it is not limited to just describing the various phases of the Battle of Saratoga. Some histories limit themselves to a description of this battle (actually several battles). In contrast, this book starts with the successful American capture of Fort Ticonderoga and the abortive American attack of Canada. This is followed by a discussion of the British plans for an attack from Canada to Albany New York, an attack up the Mohawk valley to support the Albany campaign and most importantly an attack up the Hudson River to linkup at Albany and thus to sever the land link between New England and the rest of the colonies. The whole complex plan and battles that resulted from this plan are discussed. There is a discussion of Benedict Arnold's fight on Lake Champlain (which, while unsuccessful forced the British to delay their plans for a year), the American victory at Bennington and the Mohawk Valley campaign (including the American defeat at Oriskany and successful defense of Fort Stanwix). It is only after this very necessary information is provided that the fighting around the village of Saratoga is discussed. This book clarified several points for me. I had always believed that General Burgoyne was surprised not to receive support from New York, led by General Howe. I now understand that before he started the campaign Burgoyne knew that, as part of a new strategic plan, Howe would be leaving for Philadelphia and that he could expect "little assistance" from him. He arrogantly felt that he could get along without Howe's part of the plan, or that if needed, Howe could return in time, after making short work of the Americans, to link up with him at Albany. He underestimated the difficulty in achieving his objectives, the strength and tenacity of the American forces, and that in the end General Clinton, who had been left in New York when Howe left, could not come to his rescue. Some books just state that Burgoyne surrendered after his defeat at Bemis Heights and neglect to state that the surrender took place ten days later, after considerable maneuvering and a consideration of a British retreat back to Canada. Burgoyne might have succeeded in retreating had he not vacillated, not wanting to retreat, hoping the General Clinton could rescue him, or better still that he could somehow snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and become a great hero. This vanity led to his surrender, to the French formally recognizing America and their sending the troops and warships that eventually led to the American victory. The American commander, General Gates, comes out better in this book than in some others. While is justly criticized for a lack of aggressiveness, he did a skillful job of positioning his forces and in preventing the British escape back to Canada.