New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-09-21
By CAPT. ROLAND F. ANDREWS



AS the skirmlsh ut Bunker Hill be-
comes a great battle of history In that
It decided the American colonists to
fight the War Of the Revolution. SO the
victory over BurgOyne ut Saratoga
takes similar rank, because for all
practical purposes 1t decided that con
test and determined the establishment
of the American republic. Its conse-
luences were strikingly direct quite as
much for the Inspiration they gave the
American party In the British parlia-
ment as for the effect they produced
In determining the French to join with
Us.
The Americans having suffered de-
feat ut White Plains, Long island.
Forts Washington and Lee, Brandy
wine and Germantown, reverses which
outweighed the successes at Trenton,
Bennington and Princeton, the British
ministry determined to strike the de-
cislve blow by splitting New England
from the rest of the country. To this
end command Of the Hudson river was
to be gained by the simultaneous ad-
vances of an army from Canada and
one from New York, the two to meet
at Albany. The British authorities
we're still of the belief that no raw
troops could or would stand against
trained British regulars in the open.
The plan was ably formed. Had 1t sue
ceeded there is every human prob
ability that the submission of the colo
MES must have ensued.
Strong re-enfOrcements were sent
to Canada, while In command OF the
invading army a assigned General
Burgoyne. This able and interesting
officer Is the individual who appears
in Bernard Shaw's play, "The Devils
Disciple" as "Gentlemanly Johnny"
OF regular troops, exclusive Of artil-
lery, he had 1900, half Of them Ger
mans. He had also an auxiliary force
of some $500 Canadians. Incidentally
he summoned to his aid the Indians Of
the lake region, by reasOn of which he
a excoriated In America and con-
demned in England. where Burke pic
'tured him as addressing my gentle n.y.
enas; my tender-hearted wolves"
Advancing down Lake George, he
forced st. Clair to evacuate Crown
Point and it's Notifications on July g.,
17T. Driving opposition before him,
he reached the left bank Of the Hud-
son on July 80. To oppose him con-
gress hurried up its pet, General
Gates, while as an assistant Washing
ton sent Arnold, one Of the most fiery
and valorous Of leaders. To their
standards fiocked the provincial mi
iitia of the northern states, while Bur-
goyne made further preparations at
Fort Edward.
Now, however, there befell the Brit
lsh two severe disasters. st. Leger
had been sent from Canada across
Lake Ontario to take Fort Stanwix,
after which ne was to Join Burgoyne
on the Hudson. Instead of accom-
plishing his mission, st. Leger ran into
n disastrous beating and scurried back
home. Almost simultaneously a large
force of Germans, under Colonel Baum,
snllying forth to capture American sup
plies Mt Remington. were attacked and
routed. Lieutenant Colonel
Breyman. hurrying up with 500 more
Germans to support Baum, was also
attacked and driven hack. In these
Two actions the British lost more than
six hundred able soldiers.
Yet because he could no longer keep
open his line Of communication Bur-
goyne was forced to push forward. He
crossed the river, advancing then to
Saratoga, which the Americans had
Here he waited for the aid |
Of Sir Henry Clinton. who embarked |
1t New York with 5000 crack troops, |
but who didn't embark soon enough
somebody in the British war
office mislaid a letter, In consequence
If which Clinton's re-enforcements did
not reach him until September.
BurgOyne, becoming impatient, mean
while took out his right wing under
his personal command, encountering
futCo dhu Aihoiu uDOut lOuT HIltS |
Saratoga. At nightfall he was
master of the field, but he had lost 600
more men and the Americans had
themselves by demonstrating
lgain their ability to stand against his
'egulars.
While Gates force was continually
Burgoyne was suffering from
on the part of his Indians
md Canadians. He was now reduced
o less than six thousand men. Incl
lentally all Of these were hungry. 1t
vas this. as much as anything, which
B~urgoyne to attack even
n the face Of n much superior enemy.
The American right, resting upon the
iver, he recognized as too strong for
i'm. The left he believed he could
orce. And against this he headed
nee again In person a column Of 1900