The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-04
THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA.

After collecting 30 days provisions, Burgoyne
passed the Hudson and encamped at Saratoga.
Gates, with numbers already equal, and continu-
ally augmenting, began to advance towards him
with resolution to oppose his progress at the risk
of battle. He encamped at Saltwater, and Bur-
goyne fastened forward to open his way with his
sword. On the l7th Of September the two armies
were within four miles of each other. Two days
after, skirmishes between advanced parties termi-
mated in an engagement almost general, in which
the utmost efforts of the British merely enabled
them to maintain the footing of the preceding day.
Burgoyne, unasslsted by the British forces ur-
der Clinton, at New York, found himself unable
to pursue his march down the river, and in the
hope of this assistance was content to remain in
his camp, and and on the defensive. His army
was likewise diminished by the deseition OF the
Indians and the Canadian militia, to less than one
half of its original number Gates, finding his
forces largely increasing, being plehtiiully supplied
with provisions, aud knowing that Burgoyne had
only limited store, which was rapidly lessenlng,
and could not be recruited, was not withouthopes
that victory would come, in time, even without
a battle. His troops were SO numerous, and his
fortified position SO strong, that he was able to
take measures for preventing the retreat OF the en-
emy, by occupying the strong posts in his rear
Accordingly nineteen days passed without any
further operations, delay as ruinous to one party,
as it was advantageous to the other. At the end
Of this period, the British general found his pros
poets OF assistance remote ever, and the con-
sumption OF his stores so alarming, that retreat Or
victory became unavoidable alternatives.
On the 9Th of October warm acton ensued,
in which the British were every where repused,
and part Of their lines occupied by the Amer-
cans. Burgoyne's loss was very considerable III
killed, wounded and prisoners, while the favora
able situation OF Gales army made its losses in the
battle of no moment Burgoyne retired in the
nigh, to a stronger camp, but the me asures lmme-
diatey taken by Gates TO cut of his retreat, IL
PEELED him without delay to regain his former
camp at Saratoga. There he arrived with little
molestation from his adversary. His provisions
being now reduced TO the supply Of few days, the
transport of artillery and baggage towards Canada
being rendered mpracticable by the judcious meas
uIes fhs opponent, the British general resolved
upon rapid retreat, merely with what the soldiers
could carry on their backs
On careful scrutiny, however, it was found that
they were deprived even of this resource, as the
passes through which their route lay strong
ly guarded that nothing but artillery could clear
them. In this desperate situation parley took
place, and on the 10th of October. the whole army
surrendered to Gates The prize obtained con-
sisted OF more than Ave thousand prisoners, some
fine artillery, seven thousand muskes, clothing for
seven thousand men, with great quantity of tents,
and other military stores All the frontier fortress
ses were Immediately abandoned to the vctors.
1t is not easy to ovelrate the importance of this
success, 1t may be considered as having decided
the war of the revolution as from that period the
British cause began rapidly to decline The cap
ture Of Cornwallis was not of more importance
than that of Burgoyne, nor was it in itself an event
Of greater spleDdor, or productive Of more exul-
tation