Before he left England in 1776, General John Burgoyne bet a friend 50 gold guineas that he would return home triumphant in a year. His invasion force left Canada in June 1777 with pomp and spectacle, looking invincible.
After marching hundreds of miles, this British army suffered stunning defeats in battles near Saratoga. They crowded together in the filth and mud on this hilltop, drenched by cold October rains. All hope of victory was gone.
We were obliged to bring our oxen and horses into our [fortification], where they had the wretched prospect of living but a few days, as our grass was all gone, and nothing after but the leaves of the trees for them . . . Our cattle began to die fast and the stench was very prejudicial in so small a space.William Digby, lieutenant, 53rd Regiment of Foot
Comments 0 comments