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.
Beautiful horse, he was.
Crazy how this ended up disagreement over a spring name!
What was the topic again?
Oh yeah - dredging the river for battlefield artifacts! LOL
(BTW, I put in a query to the HOF historian; maybe he knows for certain about the spring. I can’t find any serious primary sources just using the ‘net.)
I’m sorry I ever brought it up!! I was just making conversation with ml/nj...and, BTW, The Carving Board, I believe was indeed the name of the place. It was on the ground floor, and my buddies and I knew the African American gentleman who sliced the beef and he always gave us the best cuts. Ml/nj, you have a great memory...
When Secretariat was there, there wasn’t even fencing in the saddling area. They walked around trees and the entire area was open to the public. My mom went with us that year. Secretariat was not well enough to race, but they breezed him around the track so we could all see him. We had been there the year before,staying in some attic room on the cheap, and Secretariat brought such a huge crowd, one they had never seen before. Bred and foaled in Virginia, by the way.
Yep...just circles around the trees. Idyllic...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.