Analysis Of The First Battle Of Saratoga

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In the 1760s, colonists in the British America reaped many benefits without incurring any costs from the British Imperial system. However, there was no major problem in the area. Over the next decade, Britain started basing its policies on its war debts. There was an attempt by the British to reform colonial administration, enforce tax laws and introduce troops in America (UShistory, 2014). The aim was to raise more money to furnish the war debt. However, that strategy led to conflicts and from the mid-1770s onwards, the relationship between Americans and the British administration took a nose dive. The struggle for American independence started in 1775. Prior to that year, patriots trained, gathered arms and prepared to face the British in …show more content…
The battle was not a success for the Americans, as they lost to the British. There were disagreements in tactics as well as personalities. That resulted in heated arguments between General Gates and General Arnold. As a result, General Gates relieved General Arnold of command. In the second Battle of Saratoga (The Battle of Bemis Heights), the British army was tired and demoralized. The battle took place on the 7th of October 1777. There was a desperation within the British camp as they tried to attack rebel defenses. While General Gates came up with defensive tactics that enabled the patriots overcome the British, Arnold made a bold move and led a counterattack against Major General Burgoyne’s forces. The timing of the attack was at a time when Burgoyne was vulnerable. The move was a success as it wounded the British forces so bad that they surrendered within days. Burgoyne had planned a similar attack to the one he used in the first battle. However, it did not go as well as he thought it would. The Patriots were more prepared and their counter was strong enough to overcome the British …show more content…
They went out of their fortifications in the Freeman’s Farm in pursuit of information about the positioning of rebels at Bemis Heights. On the other hand, the American troops, under General Horatio Gates, used a three winged attack to assault the British. Major Horatio Gates assumed command upon the suggestion of Colonel Daniel Morgan. Morgan Rifle Corps attacked from the west while poor’s Brigade attacked the British from the east (Logusz, 2010). Learned led his continental Brigade towards the center of the British line. In the attack, the American forces kept breaking through the British line and pushing them back. However, the British leaders were able to rally their scattered forces to repel the Americans. As the Americans kept their attacks, they managed to wound several of the British forces. One of the casualties of the war was Brigadier General Simon Fraser, who was trying to cover the British withdrawal (Library of Congress,

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