Posted on 10/04/2011 9:00:38 AM PDT by Pharmboy
One of the most important battlefields of the Revolutionary War is going to be excavated by archaeologists ahead of an EPA cleanup.
Back in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, General Electric dumped polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Hudson River near Saratoga, New York. The dumping was banned in 1977 due to risks to public health, and the EPA has ordered GE to dredge up the affected silt from the river. Dredging destroys archaeological sites, though, and has already damaged Fort Edward, a British fort in the area dating to the mid 18th century. Archaeologists are working to excavate the stretch of river near Saratoga before the dredgers arrive.
Saratoga was on the frontier for much of the 18th century and played a large part in the French and Indian Wars (1755-1763) and the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). During the two battles of Saratoga in September and October of 1777, the American army stopped the British advance down the Hudson River Valley, then surrounded them and forced them to surrender. It was a major victory that led to the French coming into the war on the American side. French help was one of the deciding factors in an ultimate American victory, and the creation of the United States.
The Saratoga National Historical Park 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York, includes the battlefield, a visitor center, the restored country house of American General Philip Schuyler, a monument, and Victory Woods where the British surrendered on October 17, 1777.
Archaeologists hope to find artifacts from both wars and are currently looking for a British army camp.
There was a Dutch blockhouse there a defensive position, in the 17th Century- and it was known as SARATOGA right up to and after Burgoyne`s defeat.
viz-
1690 July 30 “...the Yankees with the Dutch troops collected at Albany and from down the Hudson set out from Albany...we marched forwards and quartered this night at a place called Saratoga, about 50 miles from Albany, where there is a blockhouse and some of the Dutch soldiers.” Gen. Fitz-John Winthrop went up Lake George, through Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain with 515 men, including 100 N.A.’s, to attack Montreal. - 86 102”Brodhead’s Colonial Documents”, Vol. III, pp.801-802, ‘Major Peter Schuyler’s Journal of His Expedition to Canada ‘, “Board of Trade Papers”, II, in London
“A modest and true realtion or journal of the sundry accidents happening to Major Schuyler and the party of Christians and Indians under his command in their Expediton CANADA ANNO DUI 1691 and their successe and victory...June the 21st 1691, we sett out from Albany...9th [July 1691] came Gerrard Luykasse and Hermann Vedder with two Mohawks from a party of 80 Mohawks at a lake right over Saragntoga [sic], who went by the way of Lake St. Sackraman [sic] and promised to meet us six days in Chinandroga [Ticonderoga].102 102”Brodhead’s Colonial Documents”, Vol. III, pp.801-802, ‘Major Peter Schuyler’s Journal of His Expedition to Canada ‘, “Board of Trade Papers”, II, in London
1745 November 4 A force under command of M. Marin of 280 Frenchmen and 229 N.A.’s left Montreal and arrived in Crown Point on the 13th of November. They headed south and
attacked Fort Edward and Saratoga, returning to Fort St. Frederick. 131 131Brandow, pp.31-38; “Documents Relative to the Colonial History of N.Y.”, Vol. X, p. 39, p.76; Vol. VI, p.288, Schuyler, G.W., “Colonial History of New York”, Vol. II
1746 September: Raiding parties from Fort St. Frederick were attacking south of Lake George around Saratoga. 135 135”Documents Relative to the Colonial History of New York”, Vol. X, p. 59, p.75
1747 June 23 The French commander dispatched M. de la Corne St. Luc with 20 Frenchmen and 200 Abenakis from Fort St. Frederick to strike below Lake George. “June 23d. Started
from Fort St. Federick at midnight for Sarastau [Saratoga] to endeavor to find an opportunity
to strike some good blow on the English or Dutch garrison at Fort Klincton [sic], as they called it.” 137 137“Doc. Relative to the Colonial Hist. of N.Y.”, Vol. X, p.112
SERGEANT LAMB`S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY THROUGH THE WOODS FROM FORT
MILLER TO TICONDEROGA, TO EXPEDITE SUPPLIES FOR BURGOYNE`S ARMY
During our continuance at fort miller, the writer of this memoir was selected by his officers to return alone to ticonderoga, for the purpose of taking back some of our baggage which had been left there...The sending of a single soldier appeared the most advisable plan; and it was ordered by General Burgoyne, that he should, after arriving at Ticonderoga, follow the royal army with the baggage escorted by the recruits, and as many convalescents remaing at that post as could march with it...At Fort George, he was provided with a boat to take him across [sic] the lake to Ticonderoga...The author having arrived and completed his business at Ticonderoga, he accompanied the baggage over Lake George, attended by a number of seamen sent to work the bateaux on the Hudson River...In a short time the author had the gratification of conducting the stores and baggage for which he had been dispatched, in safety to the army, and to receive the thanks of his officers, for the manner in which he executed the orders confided to him. By this conveyance the forces obtained a month`s provisions, and a bridge of boats being constructed upon the Hudson, on the 13th or 14th September, 1777 the royal army crossed it and encamped on the Saratoga plain.``
Up here us hillbillies been still calling it Saratoga since 1765, not Saratoga Springs, a name some city-slicker don e made up for advertising propaganda to bring more city slickers to the races.
I believe this was in Schuylerville.
ML/NJ
The piece I linked to supposedly has evidence that his role was exaggerated. I don't have time right now to read it, though.
“”It is worthy to remark, that not a single general officer was on the field of battle the 19th September until evening when General Learned was ordered out...(1).” With these few words, American Colonel James Wilkinson would provoke a heated controversy that continues to this day. The individual at the center of the controversy was Benedict Arnold; and the controversy centers around his actions during the first battle of Saratoga on September 19, 1777. Did Arnold deserve as his aide Lt. Richard Verick said “all the credit of the action of the 19th....” (2)”
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2003_winter_spring/arnold_saratoga.htm
There is an anonymous monument to him there...it's a boot. He was wounded in his leg.
You act like you know what you are talking about, but you don't. The racetrack was established in 1864. (IT is called Saratoga, not Saratoga Springs.)
It is true that almost no one speaks of going up to Saratoga Springs, but that name derives from the local springs that were near the old town of Saratoga, now Schuylerville.
ML/NJ
Same site/link...
“At the time of the battles of Saratoga, Benedict Arnold had already established a reputation of bravery and being in the thick of any action. His capture (with Ethan Allen) of Fort Ticonderoga, the epic march up the Kennebec river to Quebec and the naval engagement at Valcour Island were already legendary in the new country.”
I don't think he meant the track name was changed to Saratoga Springs, but rather the town where the track is (in order to attract tourists). "Springs" does make it sound more like a vacation town.
naaah - my family been here since 1797 in the mountains and 1640 on the plain and it`s always been SARATOGA - chew on that onion !
The Village of Schuylerville is in the northeast part of the Town of SARATOGA
Romantic images aside, a commander on the front lines cannot be as effective as the commander a distance away who can view the entire battle.
Quite true, if men were machines and battle a chess game.
In actual fact, of course, a top commander personally leading his troops can inspire prodigies. This just can't be done by "leading from the rear," however more efficient that is in theory.
Just finished a collection of Patton's letters home. Possibly his biggest pet peeve (and he had a bunch) was commanders who stayed too far behind the lines. He liked to see officers as close to the front as possible. He occasionally fired those he thought stayed too far back.
Yes...all that was well known then and now. Washington so liked Arnold precisely because he felt he was one of his bravest field commanders. The General constantly protected Arnold from the congress...and other officer’s opinions of him.
"Erected 1887 By JOHN WATTS de PEYSTER Brev: Maj: Gen: S.N.Y. 2nd V. Pres't Saratoga Mon't Ass't'n: In memory of the "most brilliant soldier" of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot the sally port of BORGOYNES 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."
I guess you don't really live in NY State. In NY State, "towns" are mostly meaningless political (and taxing probably) entities. I grew up in the "Town of North Hempstead." The "Town of North Hempstead" doesn't operate any schools or have any police force that I know about. There was no "North Hempstead" Post Office. No one I knew ever said he or she was from North Hempstead or referred to it in any way.
Here's what Wikipedia says about the Town of Saratoga:
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is often, but not officially, called Old Saratoga. Saratoga contains a second village named Victory. It is commonly referred to as the "Cheese Capital of America."Notice that Saratoga Springs is not is this "Town of Saratoga."...
Communities and locations in Saratoga
- Burgoyne – A hamlet in the north part of the town. It is named after the commander of the British forces at the Battles of Saratoga.
- Cedar Bluffs – A hamlet on the east shore of Saratoga Lake.
- Coveville – A hamlet along the Hudson River, located by The Cove on US-4.
- The Cove – An arm of the Hudson River.
- Deans Corners – A hamlet in the northwest quarter of the town located at the junction of County Roads 67 and 70.
- Gates – A hamlet in the north part of the town. It is named after the commander of the American forces at the Battles of Saratoga.
- Grangerville – A hamlet near the north town line, west of Schuylerville on NY-29.
- Maple Shade – A hamlet on the east shore of Saratoga Lake, south of Cedar Bluffs.
- Meyer Corners – A location in the southwest part of Saratoga at the intersection of County Roads 70 and 71.
- Quaker Springs – A hamlet in the south part of the town on NY-32.
- Saratoga Lake – (1) A hamlet at the north end of (2) a lake named Saratoga Lake.
- Saratoga National Historical Park – An national historical park that includes the Schuyler House, Saratoga Monument, Victory Woods and the Battlefield (in Stillwater).
- Schuylerville – A village in the northeast part of the town, located on US-4, NY-29&32, Champlain Canal, and Hudson River.
- Victory – A village in the northeast part of the town, located on NY-32.
- Victory Mills – A post office name and the name of the last major mill in the village of Victory.
ML/NJ
This was the essential battle. Without this win, it’s hard to see the French entering the war or our ultimate victory.
This was the essential battle. Without this win, it’s hard to see the French entering the war or our ultimate victory.
This will be interesting. Archeology at the Little Bighorn added quite a bit to the historical narrative. Good stuff.
To my understanding, you almost - almost - have it right.
As not only a RevWar fan but a racing fan, but not experienced personally in anything in that geography, I’ve run across a few tidbits about this place. I went to Saratoga Racecourse 1 August in 2006 and the next day, to the battle site.
Saratoga Springs, the city proper, was indeed named for ITS springs; “Schuylerville” was not noted for that AFAIK. That is how SS got famous FIRST - healthful spring water for healing powers, not racing. The racing followed soon, though. It was NOT some “advertizing propaganda” created by racing people; it already existed because of the springs there, which you can still see today, including on the track grounds as well as their beautiful park.
My understanding about the battle site from the visitor’s center, however - which is close but not THAT close to SS and always previously caused me some consternation, was that the name was changed or some such, probably Schuylerville. I’m gathering from info here that indeed, “Saratoga” by itself is a “town” as in what others up north call “townSHIPS”. Sort of a “county” encompassing a bunch of land and several genuine towns (small city) with buildings, etc. Schuylerville being perhaps the closest genuine town.
Indeed. The French were considering more help for us and after Saratoga, they moved. The key was the French fleet at Yorktown (which, as I’m sure you know, blocked Cornwallis’ escape route), and the French flintlocks and men did not hurt; one of the unsung things the French military did for us was to have professional military engineers join our army. That was a HUGE upgrade...
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