1777 in the United States

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 60. Chapters: Battles of Saratoga, Battle of Bennington, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of White Marsh, Battle of Ridgefield, Siege of Fort Stanwix, Battle of Oriskany, Siege of Fort Ticonderoga, Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, Battle of Germantown, Battle of the Assunpink Creek, Battle of Hubbardton, Battle of Short Hills, Battle of Staten Island, Battle of Bound Brook, Battle of Cooch's Bridge, Battle of Fort Anne, Battle of Thomas Creek, Battle of Red Bank, Battle of Millstone, Battle of Matson's Ford, Battle of Paoli, Battle of the Clouds, Battle of Gloucester, Siege of Fort Henry, McColloch's Leap. Excerpt: The Battles of Saratoga, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777) conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American Revolutionary War (known outside the US as the American War of Independence) and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, 9 miles (14 km) south of Saratoga, New York. Burgoyne, whose campaign to divide New England from the southern colonies had started well, but slowed due to logistical problems, won a small tactical victory over General Horatio Gates and the Continental Army in the September 19 Battle of Freeman's Farm at the cost of significant casualties. His gains were erased when he again attacked the Americans in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights and the Americans captured a portion of the British defenses. Burgoyne was therefore compelled to retreat, and his army was surrounded by the much larger American force at Saratoga, forcing him to surrender on October 17. News of Burgoyne's surrender was instrumental in formally bringing France into the war as an American ally, having previously given supplies, ammunition and guns, notably the de Valliere cannon, which played an important role in Saratoga. French formal participation changed the war to a global conflict. This battle also resulted in Spain contributing to the war on the American side. The first battle, on September 19, began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights. Benedict Arnold, anticipating the maneuver, placed significant forces in his way. While Burgoyne succeeded in gaining control of Freeman's Farm, it came at the cost of significant casualties. Skirmishing continued in the days following the battle, while Burgoyne waited in the hope that reinforcements would arrive from New York City. Militia forces continued to arrive, swelling the size of the American