American Revolution: The Battle of Saratoga, 1777
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- The Saratoga Campaign of 1777: As the American Revolution rages on, General Burgoyne leads a formidable British army southward from Canada, aiming to split the rebellious colonies and crush their resistance. Meanwhile, General Gates is placed in command of the American Northern Army, and is tasked with halting Burgoyne's advance. Amidst the dense forests and rugged terrain of upstate New York, the fate of the Revolution will once again hang in the balance.
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History Rebels: welcome to our series on the American Revolution. Join us as we explore the key battles, strategies, and politics that led to the birth of a nation!
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Credits:
With huge thanks to Dale Watson, Ken Smith, & Mark Maritato for use of their Artwork. You can find out more and see full collections on the American Revolution and much more at:
Ken Smith: www.kensmithfineart.com/
Dale Watson: www.dalewatsonart.com/
Mark Maritato: www.maritato.com/index.html
Some animations taken from www.vecteezy.com
Filmstro | Create custom royalty-free music in minutes filmstro.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
07:51 Indian Tribes
12:15 Battle of Oriskany
16:22 Battle of Freeman's Farm
22:32 Battle Bemis Heights
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#history #americanrevolution #independenceday #historical #revolution #battles #battlefield #war
I find it one of history's great ironies that despite the Saratoga Campaign being one of the most decisive battles in American history, its two main architects ended their careers in disgrace. Benedict Arnold went on to commit high treason, and Gates spent the remainder of his military career using Saratoga as leverage in political maneuvers against Washington- until defeat and personal cowardice at Camden in 1780 finally saw him sidelined. Philip Schuyler is best known as Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law. And while Daniel Morgan's patriotic and military reputation remains unimpeachable, his relatively quiet post-war life has left him remembered only by American history buffs.
Hero's a short time, villains or the forgotten long time. Quite ironic when you put it like that. They helped defend the North, yet two were left in disgrace, the other two completely forgotten say for some minor knowledge if you've dug deep enough.
Actually...if you asked any US Infantry Officer if he knows of Morgan's exploits...he will vehemently tell you the saga of Morgan and his Riflemen!! If any said US army Officers cannot recite the exploits of General...yes...he SHOULD be General, NOT Captain....he MUST NEVER be considered anything of a leader and do NOT follow him into combat as he will get you killed for no good reason or any victory.
Excellent points and key lessons from history for individuals. Warnings: Check your ego at the door. The smart boss, or general, seeks to support and facilitate subordinates who are smarter, more imaginative, who work harder and are ambitious. And keep your head screwed on. The Positive: figure out your advantages, riflemen, flexibility, aggressiveness, maneuverability and use them fully.
There are a lot of Daniel Morgans in American History, it's the Cincinnatus ideal. I'm sure if needed he'd have stepped back in. I think our current would be armed usurpers should keep in mind that at the start of the Civil War Ulysses Grant was impoverished and working at selling leather goods. Most of the best Generals joined the Confederacy, and the War Dept had been bamboozled into shipping arms and ammunition to the South. Yet the guy who couldn't successfully run a small store led the Union Army, out 'generaled' all of them, and utterly crushed the rebellion.
@@WillN2Go1👏🏼👏🏼THANK YOU!!
Rare to find someone who actually understands Grant. They say “History is Written by the Victor’s “ but it is not always true.. *ESPECIALLY* when it comes to the Civil War.
After reading the biography of Grant by Ron Chernow it became clear that he was not the “drunken butcher” who “only won because he had more supplies”. Nor was he the “lazy corrupt” President, in fact he had among the lowest casualty rates during the war (Lee, who was revered as a god, had among the highest). He also created the Justice Department to crush the KKK, which he accomplished before being revived in the 1920s.
He did much more than he was given credit for and it was because he was humble (only writing his autobiography on his death bed because he’d been scammed by the 19th century Bernie Madoff and didn’t want to leave his family penniless) and his detractors were loud.
Great Post!
This content is woefully underrated. Easily on the level
Of kings and generals in quality. Keep them coming
Don't worry. His audience has already grown considerably and I doubt he will be so underrated for long.
no sources cited though
I think less under rated, and more just relatively new with not a lot of videis yet.
Woke
Love that your channel focuses on American Revolutionary battles. Good narration, maps, pictures, and battle tracking. Keep vids coming! 👍
The graphics are excellent, the presentation concise and clear. Very well done. Thanks.
@@jimreilly917I'm gay too
New video? Yes sir! Half an hour?! YES SIR!!! THE SARATOGA CAMPAIGN?!?! YES SIRRRRR!!!!!!
I love how you covered the entire Saratoga campaign and gave us the big picture with the important smaller battles leading up to the famous Saratoga battle. Oriskany, Bennington and Freeman’s farm. Also the context of the Native Americans role in this campaign. Thank you for your videos on our revolution. We need to pass the important history of all these battles down so they are never forgotten, and with your top notch professional presentation, music, maps, animation, details, makes it possible for all of us who care about this history to share with anyone
This all happened about 5 miles from where I grew up in Saratoga county, NY. I am a direct descendant of General Morgan.
This area is a wonderful place to visit and explore. I returned every year for about seven years and found something more with every trip. The privately financed restoration of Ft. Ticonderoga is superb.
Where in Saratoga county?
@pmanson7732 I lived off Plank Road, north of hwy 146, off exit 9. The battlefield is to the east, about 5 miles, overlooking the Hudson River. All this is in the southern part of the county.
@@michaelf7093 that’s Clifton park?
@pmanson7732 correct! Though back when I was a kid, our mailing address was Elnora, as there wasn't yet a post office in Clifton Park.
Well done. I highly recommend spending several days visiting the Saratoga Battlefield, which is like a small Gettysburg, Ft Ticonderoga, and everything in between. The Hubbardton Battlefield is pretty much as it was and is a must see.
I'm still amazed at how high quality these videos have been since the very beginning. I found this channel right after the second video aired and couldn't believe that channel with a few hundred subs was already making this level of content from day one. These are genuinely the best videos I've seen on the Revolutionary War
Couple of notes:
1 - The use of Hessian Mercenaries and Indian Troops and potential atrocities (Jane McRae) caused a lot of militiamen to show up. By the time of the Battle of Bemis Heights, the Americans had about twice the number of troops than Burgoyne had.
2 - The Battles are called Saratoga because that is where the surrender took place (the town is now called Schuylerville). As noted by another commenter, the Battles took place closer to the town of Stillwater.
3 - Gates and Arnold hated each other and Arnold was confined to quarters for most of the 2nd Battle. Gates took all the credit for the win (though it was mostly Arnold). This led in a long way to Arnold's betrayal.
4 - There are no monuments at the battlefield or the obelisk dedicated to the battle with Arnold's name on them. The obelisk has 4 nooks and 3 statues with Arnold's missing. The only monument at all is a boot monument located where Arnold was wounded.
5 - The battle is not well known overall but a big deal locally. There is still a Surrender Day parade. It used to be in October, but was moved to coincide with the horse racing season in Saratoga Springs.
Thanks for the interesting notes Jim - particularly regarding the obelisk. It's certainly on my bucket list to visit the battlefield one day
5x grandad and his oldest son served under Jane’s brother John. There also a substantial number of militia that had served in the F&I (as my grandfather did) so were not “unblooded” and knew the ground well
Great video! My 6th great grandfather fought in what he called “both battles of Stillwater” in his letter for an increase in his pension. I was confused by that until I looked it up and realized he meant Saratoga.
The podcast Revolutions has a terrific episode about Saratoga that is my favorite on his show. It has little snarky comments throughout, mostly about Burgoyne’s “party train”-“Upstate New York is LOVELY this time of year!” The rivalry between Gates and Arnold also gets a lot of attention.
Didn't Burgoyne continuously put on performance's of his own plays while advancing?
@@duolingo0552 I hadn’t heard that one-nice! I know about the booze and fine clothes.
Dude, this content is insane. The field of view or fog of war. Whatever you want to call it that you put in there give such a cool perspective like another comment said this is on Kings and generals quality.
Thanks very much for the feedback! Particularly on the fog of war, I'll make sure to keep using that if it works well
Keep the videos coming ❤
Well done! I live 4 miles from the Saratoga Battlefield and this is a well detailed documentary. BTW it’s pronounced like Bee-Miss Heights
And someone from upstate NY will say The Battle of " or-ISS-kah-NEE"
Mate, this channel is amazing, definitely one of the higher quality epic history TV style channels, if you're able to keep up uploads like this you'll go far.
Im not a big fan of Mondays, but this upload made it count for a lot. Fantastic work!
Cant wait to see your channel grow to new heights.
So happy when I saw this channel uploaded. In a year or two this channel is going to be huge!
My father's family lived in the area in the 1750s, numbering 14 when the French & Indian War kicked off. Only 3 survived. Their accounts, as well as the location of their graves, were written in a family bible, last seen in the 1950s. Don't believe for a second, that the Indians didn't torture, mutilate and cannibalize their enemies. The French were horrified by the barbarism of their allies.
Hell yeah one of the coolest and dynamic battles of the American Revolution! Great stuff man!
This is the best documentary of the battles of the American revolution
Amazing content, keep it coming! Can't wait for the rest!!
I very much enjoy that you describe the battles in the blow-meets-blow of the fighting. Too often these great battles are just described as one battle that is settled one way or another. The real fight is always more nuanced and brutal. Nicely done, sir !
The videos just keep getting better, Keep up the great work!
Great video as always
Absolutely wonderful informative historical videos! Thank you and please keep them coming.
Seriously loving this series.
Excellent video, keep up the great work!
This is concise and thorough with OUTSTANDING graphics. From a Yankee history nut….VERY well done! Once desperate enemies, for over a century tight Allie’s🇺🇸🦅🇬🇧
Excellent! Thank you.
Most excellent! Many thanks.
Being a native of Rome, NY the current location of Fort Stanwix and a history major in college, the entire campaign was known as The Pronged Attack. Between Ft. Stanwix holding out and General Herkimer’s forces at the Battle of Oriskany (the ravine east of Stanwix) British aspirations to split the colonies were never realized and thus we were taught was the turning point of the war.
Just found this channel through this video. Absolutely brilliant!
i come from the rivers/coffin family from canada/vermont...the history in this area is never highlighted enough! King phillips war as well! Great stuff here glad i found ya! I still tell myself ill find a relic someday!
Crazy how this channel only has 11k subs.
Your channel is so underrated, I love everything in your videos, the design and narration is as good as K and Generals but the voice is even better¡ I really hope your channel will grow more
The constant back-and-forth at Freeman's Farm sounds quite similar to the Battle of Antietam in the US Civil War
I've walked the Saratoga battlefield a couple of times. This video summed up the battles beautifully. Excellent presentation.
Another great video, thank you.
Thank you for the great video. Always a good day when you guys post.
Great video. Keep them coming!
Very cool and interesting. Well done annimation too! Thanks!
Great video. Really enjoying this series!
Wow. Didn't know it was 2 battles. Again, you're doing an awesome job with this series. Keep up the great work!
Your content is great!
This is one of the best Rev War videos I have ever seen on UA-cam and I have seen a lot. Amazing stuff! I can't wait to see your Philadelphia Campaign video!
Great work, thank you
Excellent work here on the breakdown and steps leading up to this.
Just stumbled across this video and it blew me away. Subscribed. Great work thanks for making this.
Love the video. It was great to listen too.
Really good stuff keep up the good work
Excellent video
Great work y'all! Loving this channel, can really tell you guys really enjoy what you do so keep it up please!
Fantastic video and an amazing channel. What a character, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne. You should have mentioned that, once back in England, he became a successful playwright!
As expected, it was a good video. However, I am a bit sad about the lack of mention of Tadeusz Kościuszko and his contribution. General Gates himself stated: "In the present case, the great tacticians of the campaign were hills and forests, which a young Polish Engineer was skilful enough to select for my encampment.”
Lol He said "Young Polish Engineer" cuz he either didn't know how to spell or didn't know how to pronounce his name 😂
@@benjaminmorris4962 😄 The thought did cross my mind. Fun fact: George Washington reportedly spelled his name at least 11 different ways.
In my non-expert opinion, it’s in a sizable part thanks to Tadeusz Kosciuszko that we’re free today. He was the one slowing down Gentleman Johnny with the trees and he was the one who chose and fortified Bemis Heights. Bottom line, he was just as much the reason we won Saratoga, and as we know without Saratoga, we don’t get the French declaring war, and without them…we lose.
Just imagine if he were black? Every town and city in a his country would have his monument. Instead, he is relatively obscure despite his enormous contribution to this country
@kennethcarney5874 There are quite a few of his monuments and places named after him in the US and even more in Poland. The highest mountain in Australia is also named after Kościuszko (thanks to Polish explorer Paweł Edmund Strzelecki).
Kosciuszko also has some strong connections to the topic of Black history. He was decisively against slavery and in his Will he wrote that the proceeds of his American estate be spent on freeing and educating African-American slaves, including those of his friend Thomas Jefferson whom he named as the will's executor. It was never realized.
During his service in the Continental Army, his aid was a free Black volunteer Agrippa Hull. They simingly developed genuine friendship. Back in Europe, when Kościuszko fought for his homeland against Russia and Prussia, there was another Black man at his side; Jean Lapierre, known as Domingo (a mysterious fellow, likely from Saint-Domingue/Haiti). Finally, among Kościuszko's subordinates, there was a Black (mixed-raced) man raised as a Polish nobleman, Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski, who later became a general in French service.
You don't hear much about any of them either, don't you?
Fascinating!!! Well Done!!!
First class video. Keep up the excellent work.
I love these so much. Thanks for making them
Extremely good quality video
HELLL YEAH!!!! Love this channel
This is very well-illustrated. The British could never understand the American strategy of having a 'bend but don't break' defense. We could do this all day, whereas, logistically speaking, they could not.
I will watch every video you make man. They are so good! Keep it up!❤️🔥
I've long wondered how different the later portions of the war would be if Congress had treated Benedict Arnold better instead of pissing him off so much he defected.
Well. Washington had offered him the entire left wing of the main army right before his defection. So he was going to be 2nd in command of the whole Continental Army. They were planning an assault on New York City but the French sort of messed up and arrived late. But the next offensive was definitely going to be led by Arnold. And we know he rarely loses.
@@MegaGator39 i’m pretty sure Benedict Arnold’s gripe was that he loaned Congress a ton of money and they had no intention of ever paying it back.
You're either loyal to a cause or aren't. He had problems with everyone. Brittish didn't even respect him leaving.
Brave? Yes
Ambitious? Certainly
Ready to be offended at the drop of a hat? Like no other
If he would have fallen in this battle he would be remembered as one of the greatest generals in American history. Batman nailed it when he said you either die a hero or live long enough to go down as the most infamous traitor in history.
I've watched the entire series and I want more! Thank you! I'm glad that you mentioned the genocide of natives, thought you didn't call it a genocide.
I've been watching and saving your videos on my nation's fight for freedom. You have done a fine job-- Thank you
Another spectacular video from your channel. You're my go-to reference on this period I thought I knew so much about. 🙂In the future, if you find yourself looking for new areas to cover, I'd love to hear you talk a little about the Revolution in the Ohio Country - i.e. Point Pleasant, Peckuwe, etc. Either way, I'm subscribed and watching. ❤
My fifth greatgrandfathers fought in the revolution. One served two 3 year tours with George Washington's continental army. James Turner was a captain in the Virginia militia. I am very proud of my heritage, and my great uncles fought under Sherman in the march through Georgia. It's sad to see where America is now.
Sherman was a butcher...
@ninohiggs6339 Both sides had their share of butchers. At the point that the war was at it would take a man like Sherman to put the final nail in the coffin of the confederacy and slavery. Let's face it the only states right they were fighting for was the right to enslave humans for capital gain.
Thanks!
I must say without a doubt, this is on par with, if not more immersive and personal than that of Epic History’s. I applaud you sir and look forward at what is to come!
Thanks for another great video. I wonder how much the initial abandonment of Fort Ticonderoga affected Burgoyne's later decision to push on to Albany amidst unfavourable developments. The Indian tribes were really interesting too, they play such an important role even though their numbers is small.
From what I've seen in these videos Arnold was a very competent commander
From my reading he was an exceptional battlefield commander. No idea on how he was off the battlefield. Did he take care of his soldiers? Keeping them supplied and such. As the video points out, his participation in the fighting lessened his effectiveness as a field commander.
I'm not saying I know if Arnold was a good commander or not during the campaign here. But I'm a native to the battlefield. I grew up 2 minutes away from where it happened. And it's absolutely hilly and treacherous terrain. And knowing how the English used line tactics it could be possible anyone could have beat them here as long as they knew the terrain.
@@stephennewton2223
Arnold was badly wounded and was given command of West Point while he recovered
Frasier wasn't shot dead from his horse in the battle. He was mortally wounded in the belly and was carried behind the British lines to a inn along the road to Albany where he lived a while longer and died. He was much loved by his men and had promised to get them back safely to Canada. Once he Got shot and suffered gravely and died a lot of spirit left the army.
Well done. Subbed
These episodes are really good I appreciate it 😂👍
Great stuff. Looking forward to the Philadelphia Campaign!
WELL DONE..👏👏👏 Thank You.
I really enjoyed this, Saratoga is one of my favourite battles. Glad I found this!
Great video i wish it could have been longer. Truthful n respectful with mutual accountability. I really like all the information. Especially the part about each tribe having a clan group of either warrior (Guards), diplomats, n chiefs put in place by mothers of certain clans. Sadly the violence being equally brutal on both sides. I understand though they only wanted to protect their families n land. I started crying when the songs started singing. Made me think of all those tribes/Clans who didn't live to tell their stories. Alot of heritage language n history was lost. Many tribes and clan groups that are lost to history. It's still going on today with English being so dominant amongst All Nations. I say a small prayer for those who walked before me humbled. Thank you for this part of history being told.
Also this about the time Rogers Rangers 28 Rules of Engagement was written using the tactics learned from indigenous people during wars
While I absolutely respect what you are saying...it is important to remember that the Iroquois or rather the nations that made up the Iroquois confederacy are not gone...there are many that still hold on to the old history and ways of the tribe..and actually if this video is to be believed there actually are more today then back when this battle was fought 10,000 then vs around 88,000 today..something to think about
Where Howe dithered at critical junctures, yielding initiative and prolonging hostilities (if at least not at cost to his force) Burgoyne was just the worst man at the worst possible place at worst possible time.
That is what history is made of!
Very well done and informative
This was excellent! For a more in depth look at the Saratoga and Mohawk Valley Campaigns I'd recommend volume I and II of "With Musket and Tomahawk" by Michael Logusz. Looking forward to visiting these sites this year!
Thanks
Appreciate the foreshadowing with Benedict Arnold.
Visit the Saratoga Battle Field, it’s awesome!!
I can’t wait to see the next video which my guess is going to be about the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
Excellent videos. I wish there was a bit more detail on how much Arnold and Gates fought. But overall awesome work!
Excellent, high quality production...well done...thanks pal...
So very well done!
I wanted to make videos of these battles but heck, these would be hard to beat. ( I think it would be neat to have 3D to see the value of some of the hills mentioned)
Edit: these* beat*
Give it a try! Yeah I'd love to be able to make the maps 3D, but I have no idea how sadly
Very good. Just the facts. I like that.
I live a few miles from the Oriskany (oh-RIS-ka-nee) Battlefield and the associated Fort Stanwix. I love to visit the battlefield in the summer and sit under a tree thinking about the men that died there. Also, they tore down part of Rome to rebuild the fort.
Me too , did you know the monument was a stone lock from the chenango canal near Clinton
every American needs to walk that field from the 2nd battle and reflect on what was accomplished there and who paid for it with their lives
Wait is this a reupload? Also good job!!!
I hope the next video you make before you do the campaigns in the Southern colonies in the Philadelphia Campaign, like the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
It will be! A double episode for them - Brandywine all the way to Monmouth
It was such a shame that Horatio "Granny" Gates was dubbed the "Hero of Saratoga", having failed to mention Arnold's pivotal role in the battle. If anyone deserved that title, it was Arnold.
Many years later, a memorial dubbed the "Boot Monument" was built at the site of the Breymann Redoubt, where Arnold was injured. It doesn't mention him by name. Rather, it is a boot (symbolizing his injured leg) and a two-star epaulet draped over a howitzer barrel (symbolizing an individual with the rank of Major General), with the following inscription: In memory of the "most brilliant soldier" of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot the sally port of BURGOYNES GREAT WESTERN REDOUBT 7th October, 1777 winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General.
If he had been shot in the heart at Saratoga instead of the leg, he would be remembered as one of the great heroes of the revolution... the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the march on Quebec, the naval battles on Lake Champlain, the Battle of Saratoga... rather than a traitor.
It was Gates who organised the American army in the North into an effective force.
He was buried in one of the British fortified positions on the hills. American soldiers fired on the burying party not realising what was going on.
Terrible business, looking forward to Brandywine as a pallet cleanser. Not to say which side I am on…
Love from Taiwan. Seems that Kings & Generals channel is competing with you LOL BTW Something wrong with youtube search engine, I searched "American" in my past viewed but only K&G releases appeared. I needed to be more specific in order to find what and when I watched on History Rebels. Weird!
Lol I know, bloody K&Gs. I wish I better understood the search algorithm - it's frustrating that History Rebels is very, very low down on searches for "American Revolution". Not sure what I can do!
Spain sent weapons to Saratoga in 1777!
Spanish muskets were there at Saratoga! It wasn't just France as everyone believes lol!
Spain also paid and funded the Yorktown campaign paying both the French and Continental soldiers who hadn't been paid for several months and years causing several mutinees and also paid and refurbished Degrasse's French fleet allowing Degrasse to travel to both the Chesapeake and later Yorktown which Spain also had a huge role in making Yorktown happen in the military planning!
That's why the Spanish Ambassador was invited last year in October 2023 to the Yorktown victory celebration in recognition of Spain's decisive role in the American Revolution and it's key participation in Yorktown!
Next up! Brandywine!
Is brandywine and germantown coming next?
It is!
Very nice video. As an aside, it's pronounced "or-IS-co-nee' :-)
On the march south, British officers kept telling each other that un-trained militia will
run when faced with a bayonet charge. A bayonet charge would decide the out come.
So when at Freeman’s farm the Continental militia stood fast and held against bayonet charges,
it was a shock to the British officers.
British General Burgoyne said he was “horrified” when he saw Continental militia standing against bayonet charges.
You can understand the problem. Burgoyne knew he was out numbered. He knew that he would receive no reinforcements. He based his entire strategy on his understanding that he could push any Continental Force from his path with a bayonet charge. When he saw that he was mistaken in this belief, the reality of his situation became clear.