17 oct. 1777 - Battle of Saratoga

Description:

October 17, 1777- British General Burgoyne's plan looked easy on paper in 1776. He would push south from Montreal, cross Lake Champlain and float down the Hudson to meet up with British troops under General Howe. For 18 months Patriots harassed him under command of B. Arnold and H. Gates. The wilderness of upper New York gave the Patriots every opportunity to fight like the Native Americans had taught them to. Burgoyne's surrender convinced France to join as an American ally and greatly revived America's hopes for independence.