British “Divide and Conquer” Battle Plan of 1777

Turning Point of the American Revolution

Albany, NY

Barry St. Leger

“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

William Howe

Three-Pronged Attack!

WWW.EMERSONKENT.COM

Albany, NY

Barry St. Leger

“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

William Howe

Three-Pronged Attack!

St. Leger Arnold & Gansevoort

http://montgomery.nygenweb.net/johnson/07-02.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Benedict_arnold_illustration.jpg

http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/images/gansevoort-peter-200.jpg

St. Leger Arnold & Gansevoort473 British Regulars350 Hessians1000 Native AmericansTotal = 1823

Approximately 700 relief militia

750 recruits and militia at Fort StanwixUnder somewhat of a siege from June to AugustFormal siege for 2 weeks by St. Leger, August 3rd

VS

Albany, NY

Barry St. Leger

“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

William Howe

Three-Pronged Attack!

Burgoyne Gateshttp://www.nygeo.org/burgoyne.jpg http://www.ftartgallery.net/images/pic%20-%200010-1.jpg

Daniel Morgan

Benedict Arnold

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Battle of Freeman’s Farm

Americans Burgoyne14,000 men 6,000 menTotal Casualties: 350 Total Casualties: 600

Battle of Bemis HeightsAmericans Burgoyne

Casualties: 150 Casualties: 400

The dedication on the back reads:"Erected 1887 ByJOHN WATTS de PEYSTERBrev: Maj: Gen: S.N.Y.2nd V. Pres't Saratoga Mon't Ass't'n:In memory ofthe "most brilliant soldier" of theContinental Armywho was desperately woundedon this spot the sally port ofBORGOYNES GREAT WESTERN REDOUBT7th October, 1777winning for his countrymenthe decisive battle of theAmerican Revolutionand for himself the rank ofMajor General."

Convention of Saratoga Surrender of Burgoyne

to Gates “I have the pleasure of

send you Honourable Council the inclosed copy of a convention…”

“Convention Army”http://images.rarenewspapers.com/ebayimgs/8.53.2012/image095.jpg

Albany, NY

Barry St. Leger

“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

William Howe

Three-Pronged Attack!

Howe’s March Howe sends a plan to Lord George Germain on December

20, 1776 Burgoyne sends a plan to Germain on February 28, 1777

(approved) Howe sends revision of his first plan on March 3, 1777

(approved) Germain believed that Howe’s plan could be completed in

time for him to carry out his role in Burgoyne’s plan Howe not fully informed of Burgoyne’s plan Howe is more senior than Burgoyne

On to Philadelphia Why Philadelphia?

Largest city in English North America

Continental Congress location

Mild climate Good harbor

Moved 17,000 men by ship Campaign Plagued with Problems

Ship collisions, storms Shortages of food, water, fodder 28 days at sea

Destroyed horses by dropping them overboard

Landed in Maryland for a full week of foraging before marching on

Battle of Brandywine Creek

Washington14,600 men300 killed600 wounded400 capturedTotal casualties: 1300Plus an estimated 350 deserted

Howe15,500 men93 killed488 wounded6 missingTotal casualties: 587

Into Philadelphia September 26, 1777 Howe did not achieve what he had hoped

Congress moved to York, Pennsylvania Most of the military supplies had been removed Heavy Loyalist support had not appeared Could not count on local forage.

The loss of Philadelphia was a blow to American moral

Battle of GermantownWashington

11,000 men152 killed521 wounded438 captured

Total Casualties: 1111

Howe9,000 men71 killed448 wounded14 missing

Total Casualties: 533

Albany, NY

Barry St. Leger

“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne

William Howe

Three-Pronged Attack!

What Happened Afterward? Washington wintered

in Valley Forge

Howe resigned and was replaced by Clinton

Upon return to England, criticized for actions in America

Demanded a formal Parliamentary inquiry—inconclusive

Remained somewhat active in the military, Parliament, local government

What Happened Afterward? Barry St. Leger Stayed in Quebec

until his death

Burgoyne went back to England in disgrace and never given a command again.

Demanded but never obtained a trial to defend his honor

The governorship of Fort William in Scotland, which he had held since 1769 was also taken away.

Continued as a notable playwright

Valley forge The British removed the supplies they could use from Valley Forge

while foraging. Destroyed or disabled the industrial buildings that could be of use

to the American army. According to papers filed by William Dewees the British had destroyed

“a forge, saw mill, two large stone dwelling houses, two coal houses and 400 loads of coal, and 2,200 bushels of wheat and rye in the sheaf”

Also, problems with disease and breakdowns in the Continental supply system.

Starvation, disease, and exposure killed nearly 2,500 American soldiers