The Battle of Saratoga

Date: October 17^th, 1777

Place: Saratoga on the Hudson River in New York State.

Sides:  British and German troops vs. the Americans

Generals: Major General John Burgoyne vs. Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold

Armies: 5,000 British, Canadians, and Indians vs.  12,000-14,000 militia and American troops

Uniforms: The British wore showy red coats that could be seen from a mile away and the Germans wore blue coats. Meanwhile, the Americans dressed as best as they could. They simply wore their normal clothing. Until later on did the Continental army start to wear blue coats and the militia continued to wear rough clothing.

Outcome: The Americans forced General Burgoyne to surrender.

The Battle of Saratoga in September and October 1777was a decisive American victory ending with the surrender of an entire British army of 9,000 men invading New York from Canada. Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles about 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. 

The surrender of General John Burgoyne, who was surrounded by much larger American militia forces, took place after his retreat to Saratoga. The capture of an entire British army secured the Americans from mroe attacks out of Canada and prevented New England from being isolated. A huge result was that France  entered the war on behalf of the Americans, dramatically improving the Americans' chances in the war.