Note: This is the first of three stories that will look at three
historical figures who helped shape our region leading up to Saratoga's
All-American Celebration: Valor, Victory and Voyages, set for July 3-5
in the city of Saratoga Springs.
The articles will feature the stories of General John Burgoyne, Henry
Hudson and Saratoga founder Gideon Putnam as told through real-life
re-enactors who will also be present during this year's celebration.
It was the year 1777 when General John Burgoyne ascended on Saratoga and lost the battle that is widely considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Now, more than two-hundred-years later, General Burgoyne will arrive back in Saratoga on July 4 as part of the city's All-American Celebration: Valor, Victory & Voyages.
Dr. Bruce M. Venter, author and historical consultant, will portray General Burgoyne's character and tell his story to visitors during the three-day celebration. However, prior to his July 4 appearance, General Burgoyne took the time to share his story and give his side of what happened during The Battles of Saratoga.
General Burgoyne, also known as "Gentleman Johnny," was born in Sutton, England in 1723. He attended Westminster School and moved up through the ranks of the British Army quickly - earning accolades in the French and Indian War before arriving in the colonies prior to the battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
In 1777, General Burgoyne convinced the King of England to enact a campaign where they would split the colonies by controlling the Hudson River.
"To do this I had to cut down through Canada using Lake Champlain and Lake George as a corridor, and then come down the Hudson River and to capture Albany," General Burgoyne said of his plan to split the colonies.
The grand strategy was for General William Howe and Sir Henry Clinton to lead their forces to Saratoga in order to aid General Burgoyne and his troops.
"It was a magnificent plan if it had worked," Burgoyne said. "Of course it would have worked if it had not been for petty jealousies between the officers."
General Burgoyne explained that General Howe was jealous of him because his accomplishments were outshining his own and subsequently he decided to attempt to capture Philadelphia. Lord Germain's orders were also never properly dispatched to General Clinton, and by the time his regiment reached Saratoga it was too late.
"This was all unbeknownst to me so I was left high and dry in the Champlain-Lake George-Hudson River Corridor," General Burgoyne said.
As a result of the miscommunication, General Burgoyne was forced to fight the battle single handedly, and on October, 17 1777, General Burgoyne along with his regiment of 5,800 surrendered, giving the American forces their first significant victory in the war. Today, the battle is widely considered the turning point of the revolution because Burgoyne's surrender led to French entry into the war, thus transforming it into a global conflict.
Following the surrender, General Burgoyne was sent back to England where the British government was furious over his defeat. While there he was roundly criticized by the administration and defended his conduct and demanded but never attained a trial, General Burgoyne said.
"This got me into hot water with the King's men," General Burgoyne said. "They were especially upset because I explained to them that the colonists were going to put up a tougher fight than we had originally anticipated, and because there were more rebels to fight us than the government had first thought."
Subsequently, General Burgoyne lost command of his regiment - which was significant at the time because officers were able to make a great deal of money from commanding their own regiments.
Following his punishment, General Burgoyne became a notable playwright and later when a new regime came into power, he was restored to rank and made commander-in-chief in Ireland.
"I became somewhat successful," General Burgoyne boasted.
During that time General Burgoyne also fell in love with an actress Susan Caulfield, who was married, but according to the general her husband didn't seem to care, and the two eventually had four children together.
In his later life, General Burgoyne withdrew more and more into private life, eventually dieing on August 4, 1792 at the age of 69. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
General Burgoyne will make his first appearance during the celebration as Grand Marshal in the All-American Parade set to kick-off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. Those in attendance will then be able to learn more about General Burgoyne's life and experiences during the American Revolution when he makes two 45-minute presentations on the steps of City Hall at 1 and 2 p.m.
To learn more about Saratoga's All American Celebration: Valor,
Victory & Voyages, visit www.saratogajuly4th.com.
It was the year 1777 when General John Burgoyne ascended on Saratoga and lost the battle that is widely considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Now, more than two-hundred-years later, General Burgoyne will arrive back in Saratoga on July 4 as part of the city's All-American Celebration: Valor, Victory & Voyages.
Dr. Bruce M. Venter, author and historical consultant, will portray General Burgoyne's character and tell his story to visitors during the three-day celebration. However, prior to his July 4 appearance, General Burgoyne took the time to share his story and give his side of what happened during The Battles of Saratoga.
General Burgoyne, also known as "Gentleman Johnny," was born in Sutton, England in 1723. He attended Westminster School and moved up through the ranks of the British Army quickly - earning accolades in the French and Indian War before arriving in the colonies prior to the battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
In 1777, General Burgoyne convinced the King of England to enact a campaign where they would split the colonies by controlling the Hudson River.
"To do this I had to cut down through Canada using Lake Champlain and Lake George as a corridor, and then come down the Hudson River and to capture Albany," General Burgoyne said of his plan to split the colonies.
The grand strategy was for General William Howe and Sir Henry Clinton to lead their forces to Saratoga in order to aid General Burgoyne and his troops.
"It was a magnificent plan if it had worked," Burgoyne said. "Of course it would have worked if it had not been for petty jealousies between the officers."
General Burgoyne explained that General Howe was jealous of him because his accomplishments were outshining his own and subsequently he decided to attempt to capture Philadelphia. Lord Germain's orders were also never properly dispatched to General Clinton, and by the time his regiment reached Saratoga it was too late.
"This was all unbeknownst to me so I was left high and dry in the Champlain-Lake George-Hudson River Corridor," General Burgoyne said.
As a result of the miscommunication, General Burgoyne was forced to fight the battle single handedly, and on October, 17 1777, General Burgoyne along with his regiment of 5,800 surrendered, giving the American forces their first significant victory in the war. Today, the battle is widely considered the turning point of the revolution because Burgoyne's surrender led to French entry into the war, thus transforming it into a global conflict.
Following the surrender, General Burgoyne was sent back to England where the British government was furious over his defeat. While there he was roundly criticized by the administration and defended his conduct and demanded but never attained a trial, General Burgoyne said.
"This got me into hot water with the King's men," General Burgoyne said. "They were especially upset because I explained to them that the colonists were going to put up a tougher fight than we had originally anticipated, and because there were more rebels to fight us than the government had first thought."
Subsequently, General Burgoyne lost command of his regiment - which was significant at the time because officers were able to make a great deal of money from commanding their own regiments.
Following his punishment, General Burgoyne became a notable playwright and later when a new regime came into power, he was restored to rank and made commander-in-chief in Ireland.
"I became somewhat successful," General Burgoyne boasted.
During that time General Burgoyne also fell in love with an actress Susan Caulfield, who was married, but according to the general her husband didn't seem to care, and the two eventually had four children together.
In his later life, General Burgoyne withdrew more and more into private life, eventually dieing on August 4, 1792 at the age of 69. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
General Burgoyne will make his first appearance during the celebration as Grand Marshal in the All-American Parade set to kick-off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. Those in attendance will then be able to learn more about General Burgoyne's life and experiences during the American Revolution when he makes two 45-minute presentations on the steps of City Hall at 1 and 2 p.m.
To learn more about Saratoga's All American Celebration: Valor,
Victory & Voyages, visit www.saratogajuly4th.com.
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