campaign attempt british high command north_america gain military control strategically important hudson_river valley american revolutionary war ended surrender british army historian argues great turning point war won americans foreign assistance element needed victory primary thrust campaign planned initiated general commanding main force men moved south june quebec middle new_york marched divide initially patriot defenders mixed results losses september october deteriorating position increasing size american army forced surrender forces american general gates october elaborate plans drawn london failed colonel assigned albany new_york east valley forced retreat siege losing indian allies major expedition south london general sent army philadelphia sending hudson_river coordinate minute effort reinforce new_york_city early october little late american victory enormous morale boost fledgling nation important convinced france enter war alliance united_states openly providing money soldiers munitions fighting naval war worldwide britain british strategy end apparent england new_england difficult high concentration patriots london decided new_england concentrate central southern regions loyalists supposedly rallied december general met lord british secretary state colonies government official responsible managing war set strategy main armies north_america work general army quebec general army driven george_washington army new_york_city new_york campaign howe plan attack philadelphia november howe british commander chief north_america wrote outlining ambitious plan campaign howe said sent substantial reinforcements launch multiple including sending men hudson_river albany new_york autumn howe south capture capital philadelphia howe soon changed mind writing letter reinforcements arrive retreat continental_army winter philadelphia increasingly vulnerable target howe decided capture philadelphia primary object campaign howe sent revised plan received february plan capture albany seeking command major force proposed new_england invasion quebec new_york attempted general stopped short scale invasion season heavily criticized london taking advantage american retreat quebec intensely disliked combined rival failed attempt capture charleston south_carolina placed good position command northern campaign presented written plan lord february approved gave command main expedition invasion plan quebec components lead main force men south montreal second column men chosen lead east valley strategic diversion expeditions converge albany link troops howe army marching hudson control lake lake george hudson river route canada new_york_city cut new_england rest american colonies proposal advance howe hudson new_york_city proved controversial campaign approved plan having received howe letter detailing proposed offensive philadelphia told london time howe revised plans unclear sources claim state notified changes campaign underway believes probably aware problems lay ahead notified philadelphia plan howe expectations degree howe supposed support invasion quebec unclear clear left generals latitude clearly defined overall strategy march approved howe philadelphia expedition include express orders howe albany sent howe copy instructions stated northern army junction howe army albany letter howe dated clear philadelphia expedition executed time operate army ordered proceed canada command letter received howe departed new_york attack moved overland new_jersey sea options kept position aid necessary final route took chesapeake_bay immensely time consuming left wholly unable assist envisioned decision difficult understand howe hostile critics accused deliberate returned quebec bearing letter lord introduced plan lacked details produced conflicts command plagued british war lieutenant general technically governor quebec instructions specifically limited role operations quebec slight combined failure command expedition led resignation later refusal supply troops quebec regiments garrison forts crown point captured american strategy george_washington army new_jersey american military command good picture british plans principal question minds washington generals turns responsible continental_army defense hudson_river movements howe army new_york significant knowledge planned british forces quebec spite complaints montreal knew planning generals disagreed likely movement congress rendered opinion army likely new_york sea partly result fact isolated supply lines howe moved north garrisons fort hudson valleys significantly increased took measure april sending large regiment colonel fort upper valley step defending british movements area washington ordered regiments held new_york directed north south response british movements american troops allocated new_york theater june troops including colonel outposts troops hudson_river highlands command general commanded troops inclusive local militia troops international interest seven years war france foreign ministers beginning followed general idea independence britain north american colonies good france bad britain furthermore french attempts recover parts new france detrimental cause war broke foreign minister outlined series proposals led secret french spanish support congress preparations possibility war including expansion navies think open participation war politically feasible washington army demonstrated strength ability gain military victories significant assistance aim french participation war closely monitored news north_america london worked remove spanish participation war went far propose war king august news howe capture new_york_city scuttled plan campaign begins army arrived quebec spring participated routing continental_army troops province addition british regulars troops quebec included regiments german common reference comes command baron regular forces british regulars germans assigned valley expedition men remained quebec protect province remaining forces assigned campaign albany regular forces supposed augmented militia raised quebec june managed raise small companies expected indians support expedition joined montreal crown point army transport difficulties left quebec apparently anticipated expedition expected travel mainly water wagons horses draft animals available large equipment supplies land portions route early june issue orders sufficient army consequently poorly constructed green wood teams driven civilians higher risk june reviewed assembled forces north given command addition sailing ships built previous year sixth built captured provided transport military cover large fleet transport boats moved army south lake army launched day regulars artillery pieces ranging light mortars pound pieces regulars organized advance force brigadier general divisions major general led british regulars right baron held left regular troops started good condition notably german poorly equipped wilderness fighting colonel expedition assembled mid june force mixed company british regulars loyalists rangers indian department numbering men left near montreal june falls army traveled lake occupied fort crown point june screening activities indian support highly effective keeping americans learning details movements general left command surrounding defenses garrison regulars militia idea july strength army large elements miles away ordered general hold long possible planned avenues retreat open began outer defense works july july american garrison fort nearby extensive fortifications vermont lake unknown americans withdrawal outer defensive position cleared way british place artillery known heights commanded fort withdrew night spotting british cannon sugar july men occupied main fortification positions mount independence july surrender supposedly fort caused public political later investigation cleared wrongdoing withdrawal caused replace general commander continental_army august sent forces main body pursue retreating army sent south different routes british caught elements retreating americans times general elements baron troops faced determined resistance july skirmish day vanguard main army met retreating companies skirmish followed july forward company british army nearly actions cost americans casualties incurred british demonstrated british officers present americans capable putting stiff resistance army reduced men result actions left men garrison magazine crown point defend battles followed resulted casualties bulk army retreated present day vermont issued appeals states militia support arranged area livestock supplies delivered hudson_river american armies reached july days marches remnants scattered rejoined army remains regiment stationed manchester grants reaction delay settled house pieces army considered steps penned letters describing british victory intended public consumption news reached capitals europe king george happy news effectively scuttled early proposal french entry war british diplomats increased pressure french spanish demanding close ports american shipping demand refused markedly increased tensions powers news harshly received congress american public including july issued orders series movements army rough road fort anne heavy artillery transported lake george troops sent road primarily diversion intended suggest aiming decision army overland fort anne curious contradicted earlier commentaries planning expedition observed defenders easily block route decision appears motivated factors perception moving army water require movement perceived retreat second influence property benefit improved road build general albany received word fall immediately rode garrison regulars militia decided passage difficult possible axe weapon easier fell large trees enemy path remove brought advance crawl troops forcing use supplies july wrote lord complaining americans systematically trees destroying bridges streams road employed earth tactics deny british access local provisions spite lack movement scouts active work crews attacked tactics required build road wilderness guns troops task took weeks moved july reached july finding abandoned retreat ended new_york left joined indians fox members region leadership expedition lieutenant colonel sailed lawrence crossed arrive incident regulars supported canadian loyalist militia joined indians led war chiefs leaving july marched fort began besieging august members indian allies marched relieve siege british indians ambushed august bloody americans held field battle retreated heavy casualties suffered including mortal wounding leader general warriors nations fought sides battle marking beginning civil war nations action besieged americans staged sortie raided nearly indian camp combined significant indian casualties significant blow indian morale august left new_york men continental_army expected recruit members militia arrived fort august arnold raise militia militia men interested joining instead resorted staged escape loyalist captive convinced arnold coming larger force actually news rest indians withdrew took remaining supplies forced raise siege head quebec arnold sent detachment short way turned rest force east rejoin american forces remaining men eventually arrived fort september arrival late effectively support army growing american forces mounting difficulties advance army approach preceded wave indians chased away small contingent troops left allies began raids frontier families settlements effect increasing reducing local support american rebels particular death indian hands attractive young loyalist widely publicized served catalyst rebel support decision punish perpetrators seen inability indians control bulk army trip days army lack adequate transport served delay army supply train hampered lack draft animals wagons capable dealing rough tracks wilderness took time follow august finally succeeded making way american lines camp fort edward numerous attempts british generals communicate frustrated capture hanging americans bring good news july howe wrote preparing depart sea army capture philadelphia general clinton responsible new_york_city defense act occurrences direct refused contents dispatch staff realizing supply problem decided act suggestion july forces stationed time observed area rich draft animals horses seized army benefit including mounting currently pursuing idea sent colonel regiment western massachusetts august detachment returned august battle reinforcements sent came ravaged battle deprived nearly men needed supplies unaware calls militia support following withdrawal answered general placed men stark force killing capturing detachment death acting rallying cries americans important effect blamed indian canadian allies death indians lost number showed gratitude result indians left british camp leaving fewer indian scouts left protection woods american rangers later blame countered respected indians lord sided american change fortune tactic delay worked field result different matter general philadelphia congress discussed shock fall gates willing help assign blame reluctant generals congress general george_washington wanting large direct confrontation eliminate occupation forces washington feared probably lose war head praised gates remarked shall hold post shoot general objections new_york delegation congress sent gates command august ordered states pennsylvania massachusetts militias august gates arrived albany charge cold arrogant manner excluded war council left philadelphia shortly gates intimate knowledge area month august continuing september militia companies arrived continental_army camps hudson augmented troops washington ordered north general arnold operation relieve troops arrived end august included crack rifle corps sent north army news american successes fort combined outrage death rallied support swelling gates army rank file number include stark small army reduced size disease departure companies augmented troops raised general assigned attacks supply communications battle depicted single event actually month long series maneuvers punctuated battles beginning september army strong located east bank hudson learned failure august earlier howe giving substantial support new_york_city faced need reach winter quarters require retreat advance albany decided subsequent decision crucial decisions decided deliberately cut communications north need maintain chain heavily fortified outposts position decided cross hudson_river relatively strong position ordered forces rear abandon outposts south ordered army cross river north september moving departure indian support deprived reliable scouting advanced south september vanguard army reached position north miles american defensive line skirmishes occurred leading elements armies gates took army located near mouth south september ordered army men effective combat troops idea setting defenses polish engineer found area inadequate proper defensive works new location found miles north miles south location laid defensive lines stretching river called heights right defenses nominally given general lincoln leading troops intended diversion gates assumed command portion line gates general arnold previously good relationship command army left western defenses relationship arnold chose staff command friends gates hated combined gates arnold eventually brought internal power generals arnold recognized importance american left flank recognized american position flanked divided forces sending large detachment west september arnold recognizing british attack left likely asked gates permission forces maneuver gates refused carry general movement wanted wait defenses expected frontal attack permit arnold send light infantry reconnaissance force forces precipitated contact right flank ensuing battle british gained control cost casualties percent forces battle feud gates arnold erupted gates mention arnold official account battle sent congress transferred morgan company technically independent operated arnold command battle direct command arnold gates noisy argument gates quarters gates said general lincoln replacing following argument arnold drafted letter gates outlining grievances requesting transfer washington command gates gave arnold pass leave continued inflict petty arnold commonly referenced reason arnold chose remain petition signed line officers gates lincoln convinced stay proposals document considered contemporary evidence actually drafted signed considered attack day called noted men previous day dug army waited news receive assistance south letter received general clinton new_york september suggested movement hudson draw gates army aware persistent reducing size army army running short food critical supplies know american army daily growing size gates intelligence dire situation camp attack unknown battle general lincoln colonel staged attack british position fort lincoln collected men early september marching north received word guard susceptible surprise lincoln sent detachments men divide distract enemy went found abandoned british second went capture east led approach morning september brown surprised british defenders southern end trail connecting rapidly moving trail men continued surprise british defenders capture artillery pieces reached height land occupied old french lines named french defense held larger british army battle way released prisoners increasing size force captured nearly demand fort surrender refused days brown men fort exchanged cannon fire little effect insufficient manpower actually assault fort brown withdrew unsuccessful attempt capture storage depot island lake general gates wrote lincoln day ordering force moment lost lincoln reached september troops arrive 29th sir attempts diversion general howe left new_york philadelphia general sir charge new_york defense instructions assist opportunities arose clinton wrote september push fort montgomery days think men assist received letter immediately replied appealing clinton instruction attempt advance retreat based likelihood clinton arrival albany support indicated receive response october forced retreat october clinton sailed hudson_river men october day receiving appeal captured highland forts named clinton montgomery received clinton dispatches following victory captured clinton followed victory chain hudson sent raiding force river reached far north october turning word clinton movements reached gates battle addition lincoln men militia units poured american camp swelling american army men army short rations october called council day decision meeting launch reconnaissance force men american left flank led detachment early afternoon october movements spotted gates wanted order men opposition arnold said clearly insufficient large force sent gates time arnold tone dismissed saying business gates similar advice given lincoln addition sending morgan company british right sent brigade left poor men contact underway initial american attack highly effective attempted order withdrawal aide shot order broadcast intense fighting flanks force exposed center held learned determined attack general mortally wounded phase battle frequently claimed work morgan men story appears 19th century fall arrival additional american troops ordered left force retreat entrenched lines general arnold frustrated sound fighting involved rode american headquarters join arnold claimed drunken fury took battle british position right british line consisted erected manned light infantry lord arnold rallied troops attack success rode gap space guarded small company canadian learned men followed assault open rear arnold horse shot pinning breaking leg killed fierce action position taken night falling battle came end battle troops nearly men killed wounded captured compared americans surrender died wounds early day nearly sunset buried ordered army subjected persistent harassment americans retreat consequence general lincoln wounded combined arnold wounds deprived gates field commanders took army nearly days reach heavy rain american column slowed army pace aided logistical problems american camp army ability forward hampered delays bringing forward issuing rations gates order detachments positions east hudson oppose attempted crossings morning october army completely surrounded council voted open negotiations terms agreed october insisted calling convention capitulation wife commander german troops describes journal confusion starvation retreating british army account death officers men terrified women taken shelter cellar later known desperation besieged army october following ceremony gave sword gates returned army approaching strong marched surrender arms american musicians played yankee aftermath british troops withdrew crown point november free british troops early december american troops hand work alerted general clinton raids hudson army marched south albany october detachments accompanied east guests general come north albany witness surrender allowed return england parole spent years defending actions parliament press eventually exchanged american prisoners response surrender congress declared december national day thanksgiving praise recognition military success nation official holiday terms convention army march boston british ships transport england condition members participate conflict formally exchanged congress demanded provide list troops army terms agreement concerning future combat enforced refused congress decided honor terms convention army remained captivity army kept time sparse camps new_england individual officers exchanged eventually marched south virginia remained prisoner years captivity large number men year escaped effectively deserted settling united_states consequences december word reached versailles philadelphia fallen surrendered days later king negotiations alliance treaty signed february france declared war britain month later hostilities beginning naval skirmishes june spain enter war entered war ally france secret treaty diplomatic moves following french entry war material impact later entry war neutrality important players like russia british government lord north came sharp criticism news surrender reached london lord said secretary incapable conducting war opined incorrectly turned near end american war lord north issued proposal peace terms parliament include independence finally delivered congress rejected campaign preserved way usually state national parks historic sites state federal control monuments erected mark battles listed national historic landmarks separately listed national_register_of_historic_places battles regularly actually fought present day new_york marked state vermont battle day contributions american success campaign particularly noteworthy sides bearing statues generals instrumental success gates morgan fourth representing arnold park contains boot monument identifying arnold clearly honors contribution second battle
Saratoga campaign