My Great Grandfather: Turning Point Of The Revolutionary War
When my Great Grandfather was a much younger man, he was fortunate enough to be part of a very famous battle in the Revolutionary War. In fact many people say that it was one of the turning points of the war. He had the honor of serving under two of the greatest generals in the American Continental Army, General Thomas Gage and General Benedict Arnold. Let me tell you a story about the battle that changed his life…
It was a cold and foggy night on October 7th, 1777 when the British army led by General Burgoyne was about to attack the American army led by General Gage at Bemis Heights. This battle was known as the second Saratoga. This battle was almost like its own war, because so many people died that day. I’m sure everybody that fought …show more content…
Burgoyne’s plan to reach Albany must work or the British might lose the war.
Gage sent out 1,500 men to search for the British. He considered this a reconnaissance in force. Once he knew exactly where the British were, one of Gage’s men, General Benedict Arnold, advised Gage to attack the British first instead of waiting to be attacked. Gage agreed and General Arnold led my Great Grandfather and his fellow soldiers into the forest to attack Burgoyne’s troops. They certainly caught them off guard!
General Arnold was a great battlefield leader. He was able to inspire his men to fight their best even though they were all tired and homesick. He knew that they were much better trained in forest fighting than Burgoyne and his men. The Americans used this to their advantage and after repeated assaults the British line crumbled. Burgoyne ordered his men to retreat back to Freeman’s Farm but his forces were much weaker than before. General Burgoyne decided to wait at Freeman’s Farm to see if General Clinton, another British general, would be coming up the Hudson to meet up and join forces with him before launching another offense. Fortunately for the Americans General Clinton’s army never arrived. My Great Grandfather and his fellow men continued to launch mini attacks on Burgoyne until he eventually
It was a cold and foggy night on October 7th, 1777 when the British army led by General Burgoyne was about to attack the American army led by General Gage at Bemis Heights. This battle was known as the second Saratoga. This battle was almost like its own war, because so many people died that day. I’m sure everybody that fought …show more content…
Burgoyne’s plan to reach Albany must work or the British might lose the war.
Gage sent out 1,500 men to search for the British. He considered this a reconnaissance in force. Once he knew exactly where the British were, one of Gage’s men, General Benedict Arnold, advised Gage to attack the British first instead of waiting to be attacked. Gage agreed and General Arnold led my Great Grandfather and his fellow soldiers into the forest to attack Burgoyne’s troops. They certainly caught them off guard!
General Arnold was a great battlefield leader. He was able to inspire his men to fight their best even though they were all tired and homesick. He knew that they were much better trained in forest fighting than Burgoyne and his men. The Americans used this to their advantage and after repeated assaults the British line crumbled. Burgoyne ordered his men to retreat back to Freeman’s Farm but his forces were much weaker than before. General Burgoyne decided to wait at Freeman’s Farm to see if General Clinton, another British general, would be coming up the Hudson to meet up and join forces with him before launching another offense. Fortunately for the Americans General Clinton’s army never arrived. My Great Grandfather and his fellow men continued to launch mini attacks on Burgoyne until he eventually