The New York herald., 1877-09-20


open harassng assaults its ou,posts than would
have been the position he had taken up on the l7sh.
The British CAIN OF u victory 10 the nrst
oattlc OF Bems Heights is therefore, very unsubstan
tial. IL victory that rendered inevitable the
hnal disaster. IL victory that le Burgoyne par
alyzed with number OF wounded on his hands,
without hope OF reinforcements and with dimn sh "
supplies. whie the enemy was certain oil being
greatly strengthened through the prestige OF the check
thus gwen him. II was Victory ih.t brought ms
Language the words, Thus far shalt thou CO. but no
farther" To the Americans the result Of battle
OF the 18th was entirely satisfactory and full OF en-
couragelnent and hope They well knew tnat every
hour Of inaction now rendered tho surrender
OF the British army greater certainty. For these
advantages they we're mainly indebted 10 the splendid
leadership OF Arnold and Morgan, and II will ever bc
bot ou the memory o. General Gates that 10 ms dc.
10 give proper credit 10 the brave officers by whom
they were secured
rax LAST DESPERATE rYYoRr.
For eighteen days following the battle OF September
10 the Two armies lay encamped and inactive,
except as TO the skirmishes brought on by the
Americans VINO hovered about tho British lines ever
ready 10 capture picket or invite light. But the
passing hours only brought new dangers 10 the unior
tunato Burgoyne. The garrsons no had lett at Lake
George and Ticonderoga his rear had been surprised
and tue forts recaptured by the Americans There was
danger that hi: retreat would be cut on II ne ne
boasllul order with which his expedition had been
started-"This army must not retreat" His supplies
were being exhausted, and the only CLEAN OF nope
came TO him in the shape oi . message from New
York promising an aovance OF SIR enrykChnton's
Burroyne took counsel with hls officers 10 tnc ex-
peuiency OF retreat to Fort Eiwarda policy which
was favored by both Rledesc aud Frazer. while Gen
eral PHILIPPE, OF the artillery, declined 10 express an
opinion. Burgoyno evidently recognized the ncccs.
sity Of backward movement but h,s pride revoitcd
aga II without al least lnore struggle 20 re-
deem his Ior.unes. He therefore determined that
the following DAY he would makea 'TeconnoissanS 20 In
iorce," and If no then iouud tue enemy LOO strong
for him he would tall back 10 Fort Edward
without further delay. Accordingly his line
OF operations agreed upon, ana the morning oi
the 7h Of October his preparations were ably aud OUT
city made. But the movements IN the British camp
had been observed, General CAFES, when apprlsed
OF them, OWNED Burgoyne's Intentions and ordered
Morgan 10 "begn the game" recognizing in the hour
oil danger brave 0icers value, If he failed 10 re-
member 1t afterwards. The second battle was more
disastrous to the British than the first AT every
point they were broken and routed by tho mpetuous
va0r the Americans aud were AZ last forced 10 seek
the refuge Of their entrenched camp Here they
made a desperate stand, out only 10 DC driven from
tneir lines last, and when night humaneiy Ca her
veil over the scene Of carnage The whole British
Tho gallant General Frazer who haa fallen
MORALLY wounded early ia the engagement,
had been carried TO house norm OF tho British camp
near the river, owned ny a man named Taylor, anu
then occupied by General Ricdesels wife and iamiy,
where he died at daybreak on the following marulns.
General Bur.oyne rrtreaed In good order 10 the river
during the night OF the 7h, and there remained. pro.
tecteo ny the redoubts, ali the DAY, which WAS
spent In heavy skirmishng. On tne evening OF tho
9Th the tull retreat began and leaving behind his
wounded and heavy baggage Burgoyne pressed on
with his broken army TO the heights North oil tho Fisn
Saratoga he passed along General Gates followed up
tho rereating army the 10tn and encamped on the
south side OF the Fish Kill But n the meantime tne
to the side OF the Hudson and planted their guns
the heights opposite tho British camp. General
Stark too, hau taken possession VI Fort Edward and
tho dreaded Morgan had got INTO position with his
riilemen the heights on tne right dank aud In the
rear OF the beeaguercd enemy.
THE BRITISH SURRENDER.
Thus surrounded cut OF from retreat and with only
FIVE days ratoas for his army tho English General,
who had Sci forth his disastrous xIedtiOn nlIed
with pride and confidence, hopeful OF wunng Tue prn-
cpa nOnors .or tue subjugaon Of the reoe ous colo
nists agau called council OF officers and submitted
for their consideration proposition OF slrrcn.
der, which was UNANIMOUSLY approved by
them. A message tnereupou sent 10
General Gates proposing conference TO TINT end, and
an armistice was immediately proclaimed. The meet
ing arrange tho terms OF the proposed surrender
was held the site oil General ScLuyler's house,
which had been want0nly burned by order Of the Brit
ish commander. The tOrms proposed by Burgoyne
were that his army should be marched 70 Boston and
there pped TO England; but General Gates refused
to listen to anything but an unconditional surrender
AS prisoners Of war. This was promptly rejected by
Burgoyne and the armlstice ceased. But General
Gates suddenly heard OF the advance oil Sir Henry
Clntons forces up the HUDSON, OF the reduction vi
Forts Montgomery and Clinton, the burning OF King
ston and the arrival OF the enemy at Albany Fearing
sent message 10 General BurgUyno accepting IN sub
stance his proposed terms Of surrender ana tho Eng
lishman eagery assented. But pending tho arrange
Of the minor details Of the capuati0n the
that uesormned Gates course reached tho Eng
lisn camp, anu Burecyne, easily nueu Win nope, uAQ
some thought OF breaking on the uegoatons But his
officers decided that The terms agreed upon must
IN honor be adhered to, although the papers had not
been formally executed, and tho l7tn day OF Oc
tober, twentyeght days after the first battle Bemis
heIgnts. tho cap.tuiation was signed Tho British
troops we're marched to plain old
Fort Hardy, In the bend Of tho Fish Kill
ana the Hudson rivers, where they laid down their
arms The meetiDg between tie Two commanders was
affecting, as all scenes must be whore brave
huIniiated and sorrow stricken. "The fortunes OF
war, General, have made me your prisoncr,'' said
Bursoyne, In broken voice, but with still proud
bearing 81 shall ever be ready 10 boar testimony
tnat IL has not been through auy fault OF Your Exocl
lency,' was tho American commanders graceful
the lilies oi the Americans, and in presence OF tho
ouqusred and conquering armies the sword Of Gen
erai Burgoyno was formally presented to General
Gates roGeivcd by him and immediately returned to
the owner, who had worn IT 80 long with honor. Thus
within sight Of The mighty Hudson was consu mated
that memorable event the history OF the naton's
struggle Tor independence which proved truth the
substantial beginning OF the glorious end.