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Victory at Saratoga, or "The taking of Burgoyne", as it was known to the Patriots of the day, had more to do with anger over the murder of Jane McCrea by Burgoyne's indians, on the side of the Tory and the Patriot, than id did the military skill of Gates. Gates, however, did make sure that everyone knew about the murder/scalping, and, in that sense he was wize.

Later Gates distinguished himself in another way in the Carolinas. Washington was the real leader.We owe him much.

General Horatio Gates took command of an army of 3000 men on July 25 in North Carolina. Gates headed south for Camden South Carolina. In the darkness of August 15th, the Americans bumped into forces under General Lord Charles Cornwallis who had moved north from Camden to meet Gates.

The British attacked with 2240 men at dawn. For most of the Americans, this was their first battle. The advance of the redcoats with their bayonets ready scared the Americans who bagan to flee. Militia units began to flee almost immediately. The center under General Richard Caswell of North Carolina collapsed. The Virginia militia on the left commanded by General Edward Stevens fled to the north. On the right, the Delaware and Maryland Continentals, commanded by General Baron de Kalb, held for an hour before being crushed by 2 separate British columns. de Kalb was wounded 11 times, 650 Americans were killed or captured (most of whom were wounded). The militia lost an additional 100 killed and 300 captured. British losses totaled only 324.

General Gates is reported to have fled the battlefield and running back to Hillsboro North Carolina 200 miles away. Gates lost his command after this battle

Did you happen to see "A man of Honor" last night? Pretty much gives credit of the victory at Saratoga to Benedict Arnold. As far as I could tell it was pretty accurate, a bit overly dramatic, and it was real hard accepting Kelsey Grammer as Washington. (OK, it was impossible.)

By the way, I was born in the "orginal" Washington. That being the one in North Carolina. Original because it was the first town in the US to be so named after our first Commander in Chief.