GeorGE WASHINGTON
George Washington did not participate in the actual battle of Saratoga but his reaction to the news proves how great the victory was for America. In a letter he wrote to Horatio Gates he states that if Gates had not signed the letter to him the announced victory at the battle of Saratoga he would have not believed it. After the victory, George also says how we should not take any of the British prisoner because it would encourage the British to retaliate, and since they surrendered we should respect them.
HORATIO GATES
Horatio Gates was the General of the American force during the battle of Saratoga. When the British General John Burgoyne invaded New York (The Battle of Saratoga) General Horatio Gates defeated him twice, the first time on September 19, 1777, and on October 7, 1777. Then, on October 17, 1777 Gates forced Burgoyne to surrender his army near Saratoga.
jOHN bURGOYNE
General John Burgoyne was the leader of the British force that invaded New York and then forced to surrender by the American force led by General Horatio Gates. In a letter from a German under the command of John Burgoyne During the attack on New York, John Burgoyne would “Like to make himself easy, and that he spent half his nights in singing and drinking, and diverting himself.”
bENEDICT aRNOLD
General Benedict Arnold was a key figure in the first battle of Saratoga, Freeman’s Farm. He was a member of the American force under command by General Horatio Gates. Once Arnold heard of the British’s plan to attack New York he asked Horatio Gates if he could ambush the British force. Gates allowed Arnold to send a force. Arnold was very successful and the British Suffered major casualties.
bRITISH FORCE
The British force consisted of about 7 thousand British, German, Indian, and Canadian soldiers when the attack on New York began. When the British surrendered only half of the force was suitable for duty. The British soldier would normally wear red coats with bearskin, leather, or tri-corner hats based on their position in the army. The Germans in the British force wore blue coats
AMERICAN FORCE
When the British surrendered the American force had 12,000 to 14,000 militia and troops. The American army did not all wear a uniform, mostly just rough clothing. But as the war went on much of the Continental Army began to wear blue coats.