The New York herald., 1877-09-20
ENTHUSIASM AT OLD SARATOGA.
Professions, Orations, COLLATION.
and a Sham Fight.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ENGAGEMENT
"The Fortunes of War, General. Have
Made Me Your Prisoner"

Rcnsselaer and Saratoga Railroad where II
leaves the river at McchancsviIlc to rcjon
Il At Moreau, lies tho historic ground over which
were fought OF tho most important
battles OF the Revolution, and whore an event oc'
ourred which FASTENED the triumph OF the patriotic
cause IT, indeed, II did not save 1t from destruction
the complete defeat Of Burgoyncs expedition and the
surrender OF the British general and Lis gallant army.
Easy drives from Mechap csvilie, Balston and sara
toga Springs lead through pleasant country roads.
we'll cultivated farm lands and thriving villages to
the ground whore, hundred years ago. hostile
armies stood In array where the silence of the
hills and forests broken by the roar OF artillery,
ana where the first footprints of civilization
we're stamped soil moistcned by hu-
man blood. For the vicinity of Schuylerville,
or OLD Saragh ogua" had been the theatre OF herce
onicts between the English colonists and The French
ana Indians years before The War OF Independence.
century OF civilization has oblterated the savage fea
ot those cruel times, and in their place Is seen
the pleasing aspect of useful industrious and happy
homes. Tho forest and the wilderness have given way
fertile fields and populous towns and villages But
the commanding hills and deep ravlnes which covered
the whole section OF country with natural forthca-
tons are still before US evidence OF the military
pacity OF those who selected it as tho available ground
on which check advance OF the daring and
those OF ST. Lcger and SIR Henry Clinton and subiu.
gate the State OF New York. which thcn now stood
nrst In importance IN the Confederation.
THE CELEBRATION.
An immense crowd was gathered on the Bemis
Heights battle field to-day to celebrate the Tooth ami
versary OF the nght in which Burgoyne received his
nrst fatal check. Largo delegations from Saratoga,
Schuylerve, Ballston Spa and the surrounding
country We'd with each other in manifestations
OF enthusiasm over event scarce surpassed
In its immediate aud remote effect during
tho OF the Revolution salute Of
ono hundred guns fred at sunrise by
Battery B. OF the Tenth brigade. The morning was
passed by the people in visiting the various points Of
interest in the vicinity, and at hapast twelve civic
and military procession formed and marched past
the stand where the officers oil tho day, with the
speakers and invited guests, were gathered.
DISTINGUISHED ATTENDANTS
Among those the stand were Lieutenant Cover.
nor Dorsheimer, with General Charles Hughes, Gen.
eral C. c. Tracy and Colonel c. C. Lodewick, OF the
Governors staff; Hon. George G. Scott president Of
the day; Hon. Martin !. Townsend, Postmaster Gill
bert Robinson, Jr.. of Troy; james s. Smart, Henry
G. Bureigh, Commissioner Brennan, OF New York;
Judge Yates. Of Schenectady; J. N. Francis and
Thomas b. Carroll, OF Troy; Judge J. W. Crane, Hon.
O. ). Lester. Hon. George W. Chapman, Hon. George
West, Hon. George w. Nelson. Hon. Edward Edwards.
OF Saratoga, with numerous cergymen Of the county
and vicinity.
EXERCISES.
After the procession passed tho exercises com.
menced with prayer by Rev. DR.. strykcr.
The opening address made by Hon. George q.
Scott. who was followed by Hon. Martin l. Townsend
In an eloquent oration, poem by Professor Lowell
q humorous speech by Lieutenant Governor Dor
sneimcr and historical Grafton by John Austin
Stevens closed the exercises.
COLLATION. AND suAx BATTLE
A collation. followed for the invited guests Then
The National Guards were reviewed by General Carr,
lfter which they formed in line oil battle ana moved up
the lane the woods VIII ch it is supposed sheltered
Burgoyne's forces, and made attack first with a
lineor sklrmishcrs and then the full lnc a scc-
ton OF battery on each flank, a company OF horse
from Saratoga Springs, led by Major Fassett and
Postmaster Judson, acted as cavalry. The sham bat
tie concluded nve O'Clock without accident ard the
troops Of the field to tako to
their homes.
THE OUTSET OF THE BURGoYYH EXPEDITION
Tho story Of the Burgoyne expedition, from It's hope.
fu commencement TO its caamitous ending IS familiar
10 all educated Americans. 1t forms Of the most
stirring and interesting dramas enacted during the
revolutionary struggle and OF the proudest and
most Important chapters in the history of the Re-
public. From the time General Burgoynes army left
Montrea. IN June 1777 with the design OF sundcrng
the colonies and crushing the rebellion up to the
of The first battle OF Bcmis Heights tho British
had little doubt oi their ability accomplish their OBJ
ject. Tney HAD at first come reason Tor their cona-
dcnce. Their progress until the reverse at Benniug
ton was un nerruptedly successful Early In July by
occupying Mount Defiance, or "Sugar Hlll," which
commanded Ticonderoga and which had rashly been
lnft ~fadt had nj
uation oi Forts Ticondcroga and Independence with
out u blow having been struck in their defence Tn,
pursuit Of the retrcatIng troops while ii served t,
draw forth evidences OF the bravery OF the American
and the devotion OF such officers Colonel Warner
the lamencd Francis and Colonel Long, who made III,
famous stand al Fort Ann, was nevertheless, insprt
ing to the British On tho 10Th OF July thanksgiving
service was. by order Of the General read tho heaC
OF the lines, and AZ sunset the British cannon ant
small arms thundcred forth Jeu de joic IN honor
OF the victorious advance. On tue 18th OF July
BurRoyno reached Fort Edward, ard the sight o
the Hudson River renspircd his troops with
ana courage. But the General began then to realize
the real difficulties of the enterprise he had under
taken He had been compelled 10 partially cripple his
force by leaving garrsons in the iorts he had cap.
tured he was sadly n want OF horses and wagons and
be found It hard matter to accumulate sufficient pro.
before him. TO add to his cmbarrsssmens his Indian
allies gave him much trouble through insubordina
and deserton. The inaclion at Fort Edward con.
tnusd up to August 13 On that day the expedition
directed against Bennington, and headed by Colonel
Baum set forth IRON tho British camp, to which its
commander and many OF his followers never re.
turned. This expedition was wisely conceived, al
though It resulted In disaster. ST. Lcger had then
invested Fort Stanwx, aud II was desirable that a re.
sponso in the shape OF active should come
from Burgoyne's army. The attack on Bennington
might mislead General Schuyler, then In command OF
The Northern department, into tue hclei that Bur-
goynes efforts were TO be directed against New
England. Above all the horses and large stores sup
posed TO be gathered Bennington for the use OF the
American army Of the North tempting prize
for Burgoyne IN the condition in which he was then
placed But the stout New Enganders were prepared
20 meet the enemy. Led by the sturdy old soldier
who, despite his personal daring and reckessness OF