 Gates had assigned the left wing of the defenses to Arnold, and assumed command himself of the right, which was nominally assigned to General Lincoln, whom Gates had detached in August with some troops to harass the British positions behind Burgoyne's army.Both Burgoyne and Arnold understood the importance of the American left, and the need to control the heights there.After the morning fog lifted around 10 am, Burgoyne ordered the army to advance in three columns.