Book Review: Saratoga - Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War
By: Richard M. Ketchum
The history of the American Revolutionary War against Britain has been well documented in both writing and film throughout the life of the United States. Fighting for independence was costly both in terms of lives and money for the 13 colonies, but military victory and political unification gave birth to today's world superpower. Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the leadership of George Washington, and the English surrender at Yorktown have all been rightfully immortalized in American lore.
Yet the battle of Saratoga, fought in the state of New York, is a largely unknown battle. It did not involve a larger than life historical figure such as George Washington nor involve the drama of the outset of hostilities as did the skirmishes of Lexington and Concord. It has not been given the attention bestowed on the plight of American forces at Valley Forge. However, an American defeat at Saratoga would almost certainly have meant the loss of the entire revolution.
General John Burgoyne of the British Army was tasked with sailing to British Canada and up the St. Lawrence River to eventually engage American forces in New England. The ultimate goal was to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Since American Revolutionary forces derived much of their men and material from the more industrialized colonies of New England, such an outcome would have devastated the entire war effort.
In Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War, author Richard M. Ketchum chronicles both the British army, led by Burgoyne, and the American forces arrayed against him in the British quest to split the American colonies in two. Ketchum initially focuses on the politics behind Burgoyne's appointment as leader of the British army while also exploring the flamboyant personality of Burgoyne. He also chronicles Burgoyne's hiring of Indians to terrorize the civilian population and the early British victories against the outmanned American resistance.
Ketchum also takes the reader back to the harsh times of America in the late 18th century. Through written first hand accounts of the events leading up to the battle and the battle itself, Ketchum recounts the eventual American victory. Letters written by the barely literate American fighters, British and Hessian troops, and the commanders on both sides are used to give the reader a sense of the state of mind of those involved.
From the outset of Burgoyne's campaign, American forces were disorganized to say the least. Burgoyne easily marched south down the Hudson river, encountering almost no resistance until he reached Fort Ticonderoga. The fort was considered the most important military asset in the northern colonies but was in disrepair from years of neglect. The resulting American retreat from the fort, with little resistance, was met with amazement by the Continental Congress who heavily criticized the fort's commander Arthur St. Clair and eventually removed the American military commander in the north, Philip Schuyler.
However, Ketchum concludes that St. Clair's decision was a major reason for Burgoyne's eventual defeat. The retreat from the run-down Fort Ticonderoga bought the Americans much needed time and allowed the limited American military forces to fight another day. After taking Fort Ticonderoga, Burgoyne was forced to chase the Americans south through land neither he nor his officers knew anything about. During their retreat the Americans made sure that the British would not find food or supplies by burning crops, destroying roads and securing all the useful supplies in the area. As a result while Burgoyne's supply line became hopelessly extended, more and more New Englanders rallied to the fight. In addition George Washington was able to send reinforcements from the south.
On September 18, 1777 and October 7, 1777 Burgoyne suffered two critical defeats near the town of Saratoga, New York and was forced to surrender his entire 6,000 man army after becoming surrounded by American forces. The capture of the entire British army secured the northern American states from further attack via Canada and prevented the British from splitting the other American colonies from their economic and military heart in New England. Freed from fighting in the north, American troops were able to re-engage other British forces further south.
Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War is a great read for those who want "fill-in-the-blanks" of their American Revolutionary War history. The book captures the humanity of those fighting and gives the reader a complete military analysis of the engagement as a whole. The Battle of Saratoga is not a well known engagement but this book will shed light on how truly important it was that America won it.
Any comments or questions can be received at whyyouareaconservative@gmail.com
~ The Conservative Guy
The history of the American Revolutionary War against Britain has been well documented in both writing and film throughout the life of the United States. Fighting for independence was costly both in terms of lives and money for the 13 colonies, but military victory and political unification gave birth to today's world superpower. Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the leadership of George Washington, and the English surrender at Yorktown have all been rightfully immortalized in American lore.
Yet the battle of Saratoga, fought in the state of New York, is a largely unknown battle. It did not involve a larger than life historical figure such as George Washington nor involve the drama of the outset of hostilities as did the skirmishes of Lexington and Concord. It has not been given the attention bestowed on the plight of American forces at Valley Forge. However, an American defeat at Saratoga would almost certainly have meant the loss of the entire revolution.
General John Burgoyne of the British Army was tasked with sailing to British Canada and up the St. Lawrence River to eventually engage American forces in New England. The ultimate goal was to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Since American Revolutionary forces derived much of their men and material from the more industrialized colonies of New England, such an outcome would have devastated the entire war effort.
In Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War, author Richard M. Ketchum chronicles both the British army, led by Burgoyne, and the American forces arrayed against him in the British quest to split the American colonies in two. Ketchum initially focuses on the politics behind Burgoyne's appointment as leader of the British army while also exploring the flamboyant personality of Burgoyne. He also chronicles Burgoyne's hiring of Indians to terrorize the civilian population and the early British victories against the outmanned American resistance.
Ketchum also takes the reader back to the harsh times of America in the late 18th century. Through written first hand accounts of the events leading up to the battle and the battle itself, Ketchum recounts the eventual American victory. Letters written by the barely literate American fighters, British and Hessian troops, and the commanders on both sides are used to give the reader a sense of the state of mind of those involved.
From the outset of Burgoyne's campaign, American forces were disorganized to say the least. Burgoyne easily marched south down the Hudson river, encountering almost no resistance until he reached Fort Ticonderoga. The fort was considered the most important military asset in the northern colonies but was in disrepair from years of neglect. The resulting American retreat from the fort, with little resistance, was met with amazement by the Continental Congress who heavily criticized the fort's commander Arthur St. Clair and eventually removed the American military commander in the north, Philip Schuyler.
However, Ketchum concludes that St. Clair's decision was a major reason for Burgoyne's eventual defeat. The retreat from the run-down Fort Ticonderoga bought the Americans much needed time and allowed the limited American military forces to fight another day. After taking Fort Ticonderoga, Burgoyne was forced to chase the Americans south through land neither he nor his officers knew anything about. During their retreat the Americans made sure that the British would not find food or supplies by burning crops, destroying roads and securing all the useful supplies in the area. As a result while Burgoyne's supply line became hopelessly extended, more and more New Englanders rallied to the fight. In addition George Washington was able to send reinforcements from the south.
On September 18, 1777 and October 7, 1777 Burgoyne suffered two critical defeats near the town of Saratoga, New York and was forced to surrender his entire 6,000 man army after becoming surrounded by American forces. The capture of the entire British army secured the northern American states from further attack via Canada and prevented the British from splitting the other American colonies from their economic and military heart in New England. Freed from fighting in the north, American troops were able to re-engage other British forces further south.
Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War is a great read for those who want "fill-in-the-blanks" of their American Revolutionary War history. The book captures the humanity of those fighting and gives the reader a complete military analysis of the engagement as a whole. The Battle of Saratoga is not a well known engagement but this book will shed light on how truly important it was that America won it.
Any comments or questions can be received at whyyouareaconservative@gmail.com
~ The Conservative Guy
posted by The Conservative Guy at
6:26 PM
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