oct 7, 1777 - Second Battle of Saratoga

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After the first battle, Burgoyne delayed a second attack because he was expecting reinforcements to arrive from Lieutenant General Henry Clinton. General Gates used this time to strengthen his position and gather reinforcements. On October 7, 1777, Burgoyne decided he could not delay his attack any longer because he was running out of supplies and rations. To start the assault, Burgoyne dispatched 1500 recon troops under the command of Brigadier General Simon Fraser. This recon force was met by a division of Morgan's Virginia riflemen. During the skirmish, the riflemen fatally wounded Fraser. At the time, Gates now had an army of 20,000 men at his disposal and counterattacked Burgoyne. Burgoyne was forced to retreat and Gates surrounded his army at Saratoga on October 8. General John Burgoyne surrendered under the Convention of Saratoga. This convention allowed for the return of Burgoyne's men to Great Britain so long as those men do not return to military service in North America for the remainder of the war. 90 Americans were killed, and 240 were wounded. 440 British were killed, 695 were wounded, and 6,222 either went missing or were captured. This battle is also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights.

History.com. Accessed October 15, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga.

Lohnes, Kate. "Battles of Saratoga." Encyclopædia Britannica. September 12, 2018. Accessed October 15, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Saratoga.

"Battle of Saratoga Facts & Summary." American Battlefield Trust. September 19, 2018. Accessed October 15, 2018. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/saratoga.

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