Surrender at Saratoga

General Horatio Gates, pompous and full of himself, felt it was about time he replaced American General Schuyler. So on the rolling hills of Bemis Heights, he took command of an army who had just alluded Burgoyne once again. Gates didn’t want input from others, and took a particular dislike to Benedict Arnold. In September of 1777 the 7,000 Americans were entrenched at Bemis Heights (see picture). Arnold thought they should attack right away. British Burgoyne wasn’t as confident in himself or his soldiers after so many mishaps. But Gates said no, and that was an order. He remained safely behind his entrenchments and wanted Burgoyne to come to him. Arnold continued to pester Gates for a chance to attack. Gates finally acquiesced and allowed Arnold to take Daniel Morgan’s sharpshooters to attack at Freeman’s Farm. In this first encounter the skills of the sharpshooters were put to the test. As they picked off the advanced guard one by one, the British became nervous and started to retreat. But then they received reinforcements right at this crucial time so they turned and  advanced again. This time the Americans were pushed back, being signaled to retreat by Daniel Morgan’s famous turkey call. The British pushed forward but were overconfident. The sharpshooters were given enough time to climb into the trees and use their double barreled rifles pick off every officer save one. The rain of bullets forced the British to rethink their strategy. Next they tried for a bayonet charge. With so many redcoats, Arnold knew he needed help. He sent for Gates to send reinforcements but Gates refused. Arnold had no choice but to retreat back to the safety of Bemis Heights. He was angry with Gates, who finally decided to send him more soldiers, but it was too late. The battle was not lost however. The British had lost 600 men; the Americans only half that number. With Burgoyne being weakened, an attack could have finished the battle. But Gates stayed behind his security for another month until the British came to him. This time however they were stronger and held a position north of the Americans that allowed them to fire cannon on anyone who came close. Arnold once again pushed to attack. This time Gates wouldn’t even let him be part of the plan. They had disagreed man times since the last battle, and Arnold was angry at Gates for having taken credit for the success. Gates sent Daniel Morgan instead and his sharpshooters once again saved the day. As the patriots pushed forward, the British turned once again to bayonets, but they were trodden down by the American muskets. Burgoyne began to retreat. This was the chance for Gates to end this once and for all. But he hesitated and did nothing. Arnold could stand it no longer. He came galloping forward on a tall brown horse and commanded the army to follow him.  Despite having no authority, the soldiers respected Arnold and followed his call. They cheered as he drove against the Hessians who had showed a slight weakness. They fell. Next he saw British General Simon Fraser move forward. He asked for the best sharpshooter and got Tim Murphy. Tim climbed a tree, aimed at the general, and shot his target on the third try. Fraser’s men were left with no leadership, and cowered back behind their earthworks. Arnold comandeered the soldiers of another general and pushed forward until they had driven the British back.  His last task was to use two more regiments against the famously cruel Breymann. Breymann showed his men that they would not be able to retreat, running his saber through four men who had slacked off. Another soldier was so sickened by this sight that he turned his own gun on Breymann and killed him. With no leader once again, the retreat was imminent. At this moment Gates sent a messenger to Arnold commanding him to return to camp. Because he had been injured by a bullet through his thigh, Arnold followed orders and returned. The battle slowly ended. The Americans had lost 150 men to the British’s 600. Burgoyne was forced to surrender at Saratoga. Gates again took credit for the glorious victory, and was believed for a time to be a great hero and leader. But all truths emerge.  In 1880, at the battle of Camden, Gates would go on to show his true colors when he retreated in disgrace. For his traitorous act he was removed from the army for 2 years and never again was the great general he had thought himself.