The Battle of Saratoga
In Fall 1777, British General John Burgoyne directed an ambitious plan to capture Albany, New York. He led a force of nearly 8,000 men south from Canada with plans to meet similar British forces marching north from New York City and east from Lake Ontario.
The southern and western British forces never arrived due to logistical issues and Burgoyne found his army trapped by a much larger American force with no relief. The two armies first fought south of Saratoga, New York on September 19, 1777.
Burgoyne was able to eke out a minor victory at the cost of significant casualties.
Burgoyne waited in hopes that British reinforcements would arrive from New York City. They never appeared, however, and on October 7th, the two sides fought again. Patriot militia reinforcements did show up to assist the American side.
The now larger American force had the British surrounded and Burgoyne surrendered his entire army on October 17th.
The American victory marked a great turning point of the war. It was an important strategic victory that prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies.
News of Burgoyne's surrender also convinced France's king to sign an agreement of alliance and join the war against Great Britain. This alliance with France would prove to be crucial for America's victory.
Next: The Battle of King’s Mountain