THE BATTLES OF SARATOGA

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The Battles of Saratoga have been described as among the most crucial events of the American Revolution and Loyalists were there. Approximately 8,300 British troops including Loyalists and around 12,000 - 15,000 American soldiers were involved.  On a recent visit to Saratoga National Historical Park  in New York I walked the area and observed information signs marking where events happened and describing the participants. 

                                                                                                 Loyalist information sign 

The Loyalists in the British force included members of the following groups:

 - King's Loyal Americans (Jessup's Rangers)

 - Queen's Loyal Rangers (Peter's Corps)

 - Loyal Volunteers

 - Volunteers under the command of Daniel McAlpin

 - Captian Samuel Adam's Company of Rangers

 - a small detachment from the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Emigrants

 - Captain Hazzard Wilcox's Company of Pioneers

 - Captain Hugh Monro's Bateaux Company

 - Captain Peter Van Alstine's Bateaux Company

The Battles of Saratoga refers to two distinct Battles. The first was fought on September 19, known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, and second on October 7, 1777, the Battle of Blemis Heights.  In these engagements the American Continental Army was led by General Horatio Gates against British forces under General John Burgoyne.    American General Benedict Arnold led a fierce charge in the second Battle and was wounded in the leg while doing so but it was his action that broke the British lines.        

The American victory encouraged France to enter the conflict on the side of the American colonies providing military and financial support.  This alliance was a significant turning point as it provided the foreign assistance the Americans needed to ultimately win the war.   



Additional Reading:

Royalist Americans at Saratoga , National Park Service, Saratoga National Historical Park


Historian & Author, Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada

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