Shippen Manor News

Shippen Manor

5 days ago

#TodayInHistory The Battle of Saratoga and Burning of Kingston, NY on October 16, 1777

Saratoga is one of the most decisive battles of the Revolution and ended British General John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne's attempt to control the Hudson River Valley. The British strategy was a three-pronged attack in NY, with three separate armies converging in the vicinity of Albany, NY. Burgoyne moved south from Canada with 7,500 men. They captured Fort Ticonderoga and defeated the American troops at Hubbardton, VT (Rutland Co.). Afterwards, they occupied Fort Edward on the edge of the Hudson. After Burgoyne's troops were defeated at the Battle of Bennington (VT) in early September, his reduced forced marched south towards Saratoga.
* Gen. Horatio Gates (1727-1806) was a British-born American officer. He was promoted to Adjutant General on the recommendation of Gen. Washington to the Continental Congress in 1775. He was assigned command of Fort Ticonderoga in 1776 and command of the Northern Department the following year. In 1780, he took command of the Southern Department, but was removed from command later in that year due to the disastrous American defeat at Camden. Gates retired to his VA estate after the war and eventually freed his enslaved people and moved to NY.
* Gen. Burgoyne (1722-1792) was a British officer who earned the nickname "Gentleman Johnny" for the decent manner in which he led his men. He served in the French & Indian (Seven Years') War in addition to the Revolution. He was first involved in the American invasion of Quebec in May 1776.
* Major General Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) served under Major General Horatio Gates in the Battle of Freeman's Farm on 19 Sept 1777. He was married to Margaret "Peggy" Shippen, the great-niece of our Dr. William Shippen, Sr. He betrayed the country by providing plans for West Point to Major John Andre, a British officer and spy. His wife was influential in his treason. When he fought at Saratoga for the Americans, he was wounded in the leg. Later, a monument was erected to honor his leg. This may be the only monument for Benedict Arnold. The next year, he married Peggy.
* Col. Daniel Morgan (1736-1802), was born in New Hampton, Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ. He was a teamster in the French and Indian (Seven Years') War and during the Revolution, he led Morgan's Rifles (Provisional Rifle Corps, an elite unit that was equipped with rifles that had a range of 300-500 yards). After a falling out with his father (he was around 16 or so), he left NJ and settled in Winchester, VA. Earlier in the war, Morgan served in Arnold's expedition to Quebec as well as the Saratoga and Philadelphia Campaigns.

American General Horatio Gates and his army built formidable defenses at Bemis Heights (south of Saratoga), overlooking the Hudson River. The two armies combated at Freeman's Farm (Sept 19) and while the British held off the Americans, their losses were significant. Burgoyne's men dug trenches and waited for reinforcements that never came. He then launched a second unsuccessful attack on the American forces at Bemis Heights on October 7. Burgoyne had no way to escape and as a result, surrendered to Gates on October 17.

Following the decisive battle of Saratoga (NY), Burgoyne and the American General Horatio Gates agreed upon the terms of British surrender. Burgoyne initially delayed signing the agreement until Gates threatened to renew the attack. As a result, Burgoyne signed the "Articles of Convention" and on October 17th, the British army formally laid down their arms.

As a result of this conflict, there were 330 American and 1,135 British casualties (total estimate is 1,465).

This was a major turning point in the war, which secured French recognition and support of the American cause. France signed a formed Treaty of Alliance with the Americans, tipping the war in their favor. In addition, the Dutch and Spanish provided support later, hoping to weaken the British domination of Europe.

The same day (October 16), while Burgoyne and Gates were working on the terms of surrender, a British fleet under the guise of Major Gen. John Vaughan arrived at Kingston, NY. The local militia was outnumbered and unable to defend the village. The British army burned the newly created capital of New York to the ground.

The burning of Kingston had no bearing on the course of the war and even though it was the most important city on the Hudson between Albany and NYC, the British chose to not occupy it. Very few casualties were reported on either side while Vaughan's men burned a quantity of American war material.

#BattleofSaratoga #BattleofBemisHeights #BattleofFreemansFarm #TurningPointRevolution #AmericanRevolution

RESOURCES.

"Battle of Saratoga." Saratoga County Chamber of Congress. www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/saratoga.

"Fanning the Flames." Hudson Valley Magazine. 10 September 2009. hvmag.com/life-style/fanning-the-flames/.

Kelly, Jack. "So Heavy a Trial: The Burning of New York's First Capital." Journal of the American Revolution. 4 Sept 2014. allthingsliberty.com/2014/09/so-heavy-a-trial-the-burning-of-new-yorks-first-capital/.

"Kingston." American Battlefield Trust. www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/kingston#:~:text=Breadcrumb,York%20State%20g....

"Saratoga Freeman's Farm/Bemis Heights." American Battlefield Trust. www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/saratoga.

"The Village of Hurley During the Revolutionary War, October 16, 1777 through December 18, 1777." Hurley Heritage Society. www.hurleyheritagesociety.org/history/hurley-during-the-revolutionary-war/. ... See MoreSee Less

Shippen Manor

1 week ago

Visiting two great events on the west side of the county.
#PorkRollPalooza and #alphacommunityday.

#phillipsburgnj #alphanj ... See MoreSee Less