[Note: humble apologies for the 'smallpox blanket' gaff at 08:11. This was a mistake in researching that I'm embarrassed about. It will be correct in a future compilation video for the series.]
Even as a child, that smallpox blanket trope sounded suspicious and stupid. I remember thinking who would be dumb enough to handle and transport something like that. There were no Haz Mat suits in the 19th century.
Did your AI go on the frit's and insert a typo for us all. lol, Dont mind that, its just a small part of a larger plan for total global domination. That's all!
Actually enjoying this series more than the Kings and Generals one about this conflict. Love their videos but find them a bit rushed at times. These feel very in depth!
I find it one of history's great ironies that despite the Saratoga Campaign being one of the most decisive battles in American history, its two main architects ended their careers in disgrace. Benedict Arnold went on to commit high treason, and Gates spent the remainder of his military career using Saratoga as leverage in political maneuvers against Washington- until defeat and personal cowardice at Camden in 1780 finally saw him sidelined. Philip Schuyler is best known as Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law. And while Daniel Morgan's patriotic and military reputation remains unimpeachable, his relatively quiet post-war life has left him remembered only by American history buffs.
Hero's a short time, villains or the forgotten long time. Quite ironic when you put it like that. They helped defend the North, yet two were left in disgrace, the other two completely forgotten say for some minor knowledge if you've dug deep enough.
Actually...if you asked any US Infantry Officer if he knows of Morgan's exploits...he will vehemently tell you the saga of Morgan and his Riflemen!! If any said US army Officers cannot recite the exploits of General...yes...he SHOULD be General, NOT Captain....he MUST NEVER be considered anything of a leader and do NOT follow him into combat as he will get you killed for no good reason or any victory.
Excellent points and key lessons from history for individuals. Warnings: Check your ego at the door. The smart boss, or general, seeks to support and facilitate subordinates who are smarter, more imaginative, who work harder and are ambitious. And keep your head screwed on. The Positive: figure out your advantages, riflemen, flexibility, aggressiveness, maneuverability and use them fully. There are a lot of Daniel Morgans in American History, it's the Cincinnatus ideal. I'm sure if needed he'd have stepped back in. I think our current would be armed usurpers should keep in mind that at the start of the Civil War Ulysses Grant was impoverished and working at selling leather goods. Most of the best Generals joined the Confederacy, and the War Dept had been bamboozled into shipping arms and ammunition to the South. Yet the guy who couldn't successfully run a small store led the Union Army, out 'generaled' all of them, and utterly crushed the rebellion.
@@WillN2Go1👏🏼👏🏼THANK YOU!! Rare to find someone who actually understands Grant. They say “History is Written by the Victor’s “ but it is not always true.. *ESPECIALLY* when it comes to the Civil War. After reading the biography of Grant by Ron Chernow it became clear that he was not the “drunken butcher” who “only won because he had more supplies”. Nor was he the “lazy corrupt” President, in fact he had among the lowest casualty rates during the war (Lee, who was revered as a god, had among the highest). He also created the Justice Department to crush the KKK, which he accomplished before being revived in the 1920s. He did much more than he was given credit for and it was because he was humble (only writing his autobiography on his death bed because he’d been scammed by the 19th century Bernie Madoff and didn’t want to leave his family penniless) and his detractors were loud.
Dude, this content is insane. The field of view or fog of war. Whatever you want to call it that you put in there give such a cool perspective like another comment said this is on Kings and generals quality.
I love how you covered the entire Saratoga campaign and gave us the big picture with the important smaller battles leading up to the famous Saratoga battle. Oriskany, Bennington and Freeman’s farm. Also the context of the Native Americans role in this campaign. Thank you for your videos on our revolution. We need to pass the important history of all these battles down so they are never forgotten, and with your top notch professional presentation, music, maps, animation, details, makes it possible for all of us who care about this history to share with anyone
And an entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE ---but he was unable to mention these things in the 13 seconds he spent on it
And an entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE --- he was unable to mention these things in the 13 seconds he spent on it
Great video! My 6th great grandfather fought in what he called “both battles of Stillwater” in his letter for an increase in his pension. I was confused by that until I looked it up and realized he meant Saratoga. The podcast Revolutions has a terrific episode about Saratoga that is my favorite on his show. It has little snarky comments throughout, mostly about Burgoyne’s “party train”-“Upstate New York is LOVELY this time of year!” The rivalry between Gates and Arnold also gets a lot of attention.
General Nicholas Herkimer and the Tryon County Militia are true patriots and revered heroes to this day in the Mohawk Valley. There’s an excellent book written by Boonville, NY native, Walter D. Edmund’s called Drums Along the Mohawk which was also made into the 1939 movie drama of the same title. General Nicholas Herkimer is portrayed in the movie along with other true families such as the Weavers and Reals. Great movie staring a young Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert. Excellent history video.
Well done. I highly recommend spending several days visiting the Saratoga Battlefield, which is like a small Gettysburg, Ft Ticonderoga, and everything in between. The Hubbardton Battlefield is pretty much as it was and is a must see.
I'm still amazed at how high quality these videos have been since the very beginning. I found this channel right after the second video aired and couldn't believe that channel with a few hundred subs was already making this level of content from day one. These are genuinely the best videos I've seen on the Revolutionary War
Mate, this channel is amazing, definitely one of the higher quality epic history TV style channels, if you're able to keep up uploads like this you'll go far.
i come from the rivers/coffin family from canada/vermont...the history in this area is never highlighted enough! King phillips war as well! Great stuff here glad i found ya! I still tell myself ill find a relic someday!
Your channel is so underrated, I love everything in your videos, the design and narration is as good as K and Generals but the voice is even better¡ I really hope your channel will grow more
I used to live in the Champlain valley and there is a lot of history from this period around there. Your videos are great, thank you for all your hard work.
If Arnold had gotten his wish and been killed at Saratoga, during this brilliant victory, millions of us would have graduated from Benedict Arnold high schools and colleges. Battleships and carriers would be named after him, as would forts and bases, and he'd probably be on our money, too. If not for that one little thing he did!
This is one of the best Rev War videos I have ever seen on TH-cam and I have seen a lot. Amazing stuff! I can't wait to see your Philadelphia Campaign video!
I very much enjoy that you describe the battles in the blow-meets-blow of the fighting. Too often these great battles are just described as one battle that is settled one way or another. The real fight is always more nuanced and brutal. Nicely done, sir !
You've done an incredibly job with this series. given me a new appreciation for a subject that was made very bland through repition of "key" points throughout american history in school. fantastic series.
I must say without a doubt, this is on par with, if not more immersive and personal than that of Epic History’s. I applaud you sir and look forward at what is to come!
Fantastic video and an amazing channel. What a character, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne. You should have mentioned that, once back in England, he became a successful playwright!
This is concise and thorough with OUTSTANDING graphics. From a Yankee history nut….VERY well done! Once desperate enemies, for over a century tight Allie’s🇺🇸🦅🇬🇧
Couple of notes: 1 - The use of Hessian Mercenaries and Indian Troops and potential atrocities (Jane McRae) caused a lot of militiamen to show up. By the time of the Battle of Bemis Heights, the Americans had about twice the number of troops than Burgoyne had. 2 - The Battles are called Saratoga because that is where the surrender took place (the town is now called Schuylerville). As noted by another commenter, the Battles took place closer to the town of Stillwater. 3 - Gates and Arnold hated each other and Arnold was confined to quarters for most of the 2nd Battle. Gates took all the credit for the win (though it was mostly Arnold). This led in a long way to Arnold's betrayal. 4 - There are no monuments at the battlefield or the obelisk dedicated to the battle with Arnold's name on them. The obelisk has 4 nooks and 3 statues with Arnold's missing. The only monument at all is a boot monument located where Arnold was wounded. 5 - The battle is not well known overall but a big deal locally. There is still a Surrender Day parade. It used to be in October, but was moved to coincide with the horse racing season in Saratoga Springs.
5x grandad and his oldest son served under Jane’s brother John. There also a substantial number of militia that had served in the F&I (as my grandfather did) so were not “unblooded” and knew the ground well
@@HistoryRebelsand don't forget the entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE --- I suspect the 13 seconds spent on it are because an entire video is planned on it
I recently moved to the Mohawk valley in New York a couple of years ago and have been to Fort Stanwix, and the Oriskany battlefield a few times in addition to Saratoga. One of the things emphasized here is that the Battle of Oriskany broke the Great Law of Peace between the Iroquois and began a civil war. It is known today as “A Place of Great Sadness”. I’m glad you all decided to include this mostly neglected part of the Saratoga campaign!
Another spectacular video from your channel. You're my go-to reference on this period I thought I knew so much about. 🙂In the future, if you find yourself looking for new areas to cover, I'd love to hear you talk a little about the Revolution in the Ohio Country - i.e. Point Pleasant, Peckuwe, etc. Either way, I'm subscribed and watching. ❤
This was excellent! For a more in depth look at the Saratoga and Mohawk Valley Campaigns I'd recommend volume I and II of "With Musket and Tomahawk" by Michael Logusz. Looking forward to visiting these sites this year!
Being a native of Rome, NY the current location of Fort Stanwix and a history major in college, the entire campaign was known as The Pronged Attack. Between Ft. Stanwix holding out and General Herkimer’s forces at the Battle of Oriskany (the ravine east of Stanwix) British aspirations to split the colonies were never realized and thus we were taught was the turning point of the war.
Found out recently my ancestor (Hessian) fought in this battle. Afterwards escaping like so many did when in Albemarle Barracks in Virginia and thankfully established a family in what is now West Virginia.
This area is a wonderful place to visit and explore. I returned every year for about seven years and found something more with every trip. The privately financed restoration of Ft. Ticonderoga is superb.
@pmanson7732 I lived off Plank Road, north of hwy 146, off exit 9. The battlefield is to the east, about 5 miles, overlooking the Hudson River. All this is in the southern part of the county.
I live in between Saratoga and Ticonderoga (between Fort Edward and Fort Ann) and it is still incredible to me, to drive by Fort Ticonderoga or the battlefield in Saratoga or any other number of historical markers in the area, and think about what the area must have looked like back then and what it must have been like to live in that time. Sadly, it seems likely that most Americans today would collapse under the every-day pressures of life these people faced.
Thanks for another great video. I wonder how much the initial abandonment of Fort Ticonderoga affected Burgoyne's later decision to push on to Albany amidst unfavourable developments. The Indian tribes were really interesting too, they play such an important role even though their numbers is small.
My fifth greatgrandfathers fought in the revolution. One served two 3 year tours with George Washington's continental army. James Turner was a captain in the Virginia militia. I am very proud of my heritage, and my great uncles fought under Sherman in the march through Georgia. It's sad to see where America is now.
@ninohiggs6339 Both sides had their share of butchers. At the point that the war was at it would take a man like Sherman to put the final nail in the coffin of the confederacy and slavery. Let's face it the only states right they were fighting for was the right to enslave humans for capital gain.
So very well done! I wanted to make videos of these battles but heck, these would be hard to beat. ( I think it would be neat to have 3D to see the value of some of the hills mentioned) Edit: these* beat*
I just found your channel I LOVE IT! I'm former U.S. Marine turned amateur Historian. I would subscribe to your channel but you only have like 10 videos. If your still making videos then I will 100% subscribe.
I hope the next video you make before you do the campaigns in the Southern colonies in the Philadelphia Campaign, like the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
I live a few miles from the Oriskany (oh-RIS-ka-nee) Battlefield and the associated Fort Stanwix. I love to visit the battlefield in the summer and sit under a tree thinking about the men that died there. Also, they tore down part of Rome to rebuild the fort.
According to a study among Militarty Historians, Saratoga was the most important, not the largest, but most important battle in the history of Military warfare as it let America become a country..that changed the world. "The Generals of Saratoga" is an excellent book.
It was such a shame that Horatio "Granny" Gates was dubbed the "Hero of Saratoga", having failed to mention Arnold's pivotal role in the battle. If anyone deserved that title, it was Arnold. Many years later, a memorial dubbed the "Boot Monument" was built at the site of the Breymann Redoubt, where Arnold was injured. It doesn't mention him by name. Rather, it is a boot (symbolizing his injured leg) and a two-star epaulet draped over a howitzer barrel (symbolizing an individual with the rank of Major General), with the following inscription: In memory of the "most brilliant soldier" of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot the sally port of BURGOYNES 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. If he had been shot in the heart at Saratoga instead of the leg, he would be remembered as one of the great heroes of the revolution... the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the march on Quebec, the naval battles on Lake Champlain, the Battle of Saratoga... rather than a traitor.
Nope, Arnold didn't do enough to be deserving of being called the "hero of saratoga" He was absent for most of the attack on Benis heights while also, most likely drunk Not to mention how he nearly lost the battle of Freeman's farm
As expected, it was a good video. However, I am a bit sad about the lack of mention of Tadeusz Kościuszko and his contribution. General Gates himself stated: "In the present case, the great tacticians of the campaign were hills and forests, which a young Polish Engineer was skilful enough to select for my encampment.”
In my non-expert opinion, it’s in a sizable part thanks to Tadeusz Kosciuszko that we’re free today. He was the one slowing down Gentleman Johnny with the trees and he was the one who chose and fortified Bemis Heights. Bottom line, he was just as much the reason we won Saratoga, and as we know without Saratoga, we don’t get the French declaring war, and without them…we lose.
Just imagine if he were black? Every town and city in a his country would have his monument. Instead, he is relatively obscure despite his enormous contribution to this country
@kennethcarney5874 There are quite a few of his monuments and places named after him in the US and even more in Poland. The highest mountain in Australia is also named after Kościuszko (thanks to Polish explorer Paweł Edmund Strzelecki). Kosciuszko also has some strong connections to the topic of Black history. He was decisively against slavery and in his Will he wrote that the proceeds of his American estate be spent on freeing and educating African-American slaves, including those of his friend Thomas Jefferson whom he named as the will's executor. It was never realized. During his service in the Continental Army, his aid was a free Black volunteer Agrippa Hull. They simingly developed genuine friendship. Back in Europe, when Kościuszko fought for his homeland against Russia and Prussia, there was another Black man at his side; Jean Lapierre, known as Domingo (a mysterious fellow, likely from Saint-Domingue/Haiti). Finally, among Kościuszko's subordinates, there was a Black (mixed-raced) man raised as a Polish nobleman, Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski, who later became a general in French service. You don't hear much about any of them either, don't you?
This is very well-illustrated. The British could never understand the American strategy of having a 'bend but don't break' defense. We could do this all day, whereas, logistically speaking, they could not.
[Note: humble apologies for the 'smallpox blanket' gaff at 08:11. This was a mistake in researching that I'm embarrassed about. It will be correct in a future compilation video for the series.]
Even as a child, that smallpox blanket trope sounded suspicious and stupid. I remember thinking who would be dumb enough to handle and transport something like that. There were no Haz Mat suits in the 19th century.
Did your AI go on the frit's and insert a typo for us all. lol, Dont mind that, its just a small part of a larger plan for total global domination. That's all!
This content is woefully underrated. Easily on the level
Of kings and generals in quality. Keep them coming
Don't worry. His audience has already grown considerably and I doubt he will be so underrated for long.
no sources cited though
I think less under rated, and more just relatively new with not a lot of videis yet.
Woke
Actually enjoying this series more than the Kings and Generals one about this conflict. Love their videos but find them a bit rushed at times. These feel very in depth!
I find it one of history's great ironies that despite the Saratoga Campaign being one of the most decisive battles in American history, its two main architects ended their careers in disgrace. Benedict Arnold went on to commit high treason, and Gates spent the remainder of his military career using Saratoga as leverage in political maneuvers against Washington- until defeat and personal cowardice at Camden in 1780 finally saw him sidelined. Philip Schuyler is best known as Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law. And while Daniel Morgan's patriotic and military reputation remains unimpeachable, his relatively quiet post-war life has left him remembered only by American history buffs.
Hero's a short time, villains or the forgotten long time. Quite ironic when you put it like that. They helped defend the North, yet two were left in disgrace, the other two completely forgotten say for some minor knowledge if you've dug deep enough.
Actually...if you asked any US Infantry Officer if he knows of Morgan's exploits...he will vehemently tell you the saga of Morgan and his Riflemen!! If any said US army Officers cannot recite the exploits of General...yes...he SHOULD be General, NOT Captain....he MUST NEVER be considered anything of a leader and do NOT follow him into combat as he will get you killed for no good reason or any victory.
Excellent points and key lessons from history for individuals. Warnings: Check your ego at the door. The smart boss, or general, seeks to support and facilitate subordinates who are smarter, more imaginative, who work harder and are ambitious. And keep your head screwed on. The Positive: figure out your advantages, riflemen, flexibility, aggressiveness, maneuverability and use them fully.
There are a lot of Daniel Morgans in American History, it's the Cincinnatus ideal. I'm sure if needed he'd have stepped back in. I think our current would be armed usurpers should keep in mind that at the start of the Civil War Ulysses Grant was impoverished and working at selling leather goods. Most of the best Generals joined the Confederacy, and the War Dept had been bamboozled into shipping arms and ammunition to the South. Yet the guy who couldn't successfully run a small store led the Union Army, out 'generaled' all of them, and utterly crushed the rebellion.
@@WillN2Go1👏🏼👏🏼THANK YOU!!
Rare to find someone who actually understands Grant. They say “History is Written by the Victor’s “ but it is not always true.. *ESPECIALLY* when it comes to the Civil War.
After reading the biography of Grant by Ron Chernow it became clear that he was not the “drunken butcher” who “only won because he had more supplies”. Nor was he the “lazy corrupt” President, in fact he had among the lowest casualty rates during the war (Lee, who was revered as a god, had among the highest). He also created the Justice Department to crush the KKK, which he accomplished before being revived in the 1920s.
He did much more than he was given credit for and it was because he was humble (only writing his autobiography on his death bed because he’d been scammed by the 19th century Bernie Madoff and didn’t want to leave his family penniless) and his detractors were loud.
Great Post!
Love that your channel focuses on American Revolutionary battles. Good narration, maps, pictures, and battle tracking. Keep vids coming! 👍
The graphics are excellent, the presentation concise and clear. Very well done. Thanks.
@@jimreilly917I'm gay too
Dude, this content is insane. The field of view or fog of war. Whatever you want to call it that you put in there give such a cool perspective like another comment said this is on Kings and generals quality.
Thanks very much for the feedback! Particularly on the fog of war, I'll make sure to keep using that if it works well
I love how you covered the entire Saratoga campaign and gave us the big picture with the important smaller battles leading up to the famous Saratoga battle. Oriskany, Bennington and Freeman’s farm. Also the context of the Native Americans role in this campaign. Thank you for your videos on our revolution. We need to pass the important history of all these battles down so they are never forgotten, and with your top notch professional presentation, music, maps, animation, details, makes it possible for all of us who care about this history to share with anyone
And an entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE ---but he was unable to mention these things in the 13 seconds he spent on it
Probably because he's planning a separate video on the battle
New video? Yes sir! Half an hour?! YES SIR!!! THE SARATOGA CAMPAIGN?!?! YES SIRRRRR!!!!!!
And an entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE --- he was unable to mention these things in the 13 seconds he spent on it
NOT LONG ENOUGH. IT'S MORE LIKE A FOOTNOTE
Great video! My 6th great grandfather fought in what he called “both battles of Stillwater” in his letter for an increase in his pension. I was confused by that until I looked it up and realized he meant Saratoga.
The podcast Revolutions has a terrific episode about Saratoga that is my favorite on his show. It has little snarky comments throughout, mostly about Burgoyne’s “party train”-“Upstate New York is LOVELY this time of year!” The rivalry between Gates and Arnold also gets a lot of attention.
Didn't Burgoyne continuously put on performance's of his own plays while advancing?
@@duolingo0552 I hadn’t heard that one-nice! I know about the booze and fine clothes.
General Nicholas Herkimer and the Tryon County Militia are true patriots and revered heroes to this day in the Mohawk Valley. There’s an excellent book written by Boonville, NY native, Walter D. Edmund’s called Drums Along the Mohawk which was also made into the 1939 movie drama of the same title. General Nicholas Herkimer is portrayed in the movie along with other true families such as the Weavers and Reals. Great movie staring a young Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert. Excellent history video.
Well done. I highly recommend spending several days visiting the Saratoga Battlefield, which is like a small Gettysburg, Ft Ticonderoga, and everything in between. The Hubbardton Battlefield is pretty much as it was and is a must see.
I'm still amazed at how high quality these videos have been since the very beginning. I found this channel right after the second video aired and couldn't believe that channel with a few hundred subs was already making this level of content from day one. These are genuinely the best videos I've seen on the Revolutionary War
Excellent video, keep up the great work!
I've walked the Saratoga battlefield a couple of times. This video summed up the battles beautifully. Excellent presentation.
Keep the videos coming ❤
Well done! I live 4 miles from the Saratoga Battlefield and this is a well detailed documentary. BTW it’s pronounced like Bee-Miss Heights
And someone from upstate NY will say The Battle of " or-ISS-kah-NEE"
@@spikespa5208It’s pronounced uh-RISS-kuh-nee. The only people who call it or-ris-CAN-nee are people who’ve never heard of it. It’s my hometown.
Just goin' by my wife's pronunciation. She grew up in Oneida.
Hell yeah one of the coolest and dynamic battles of the American Revolution! Great stuff man!
So happy when I saw this channel uploaded. In a year or two this channel is going to be huge!
Mate, this channel is amazing, definitely one of the higher quality epic history TV style channels, if you're able to keep up uploads like this you'll go far.
Most excellent! Many thanks.
Upstate New Yorker here. This is a well-done video! One minor item of note: Oriskany is pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable.
Im not a big fan of Mondays, but this upload made it count for a lot. Fantastic work!
Cant wait to see your channel grow to new heights.
i come from the rivers/coffin family from canada/vermont...the history in this area is never highlighted enough! King phillips war as well! Great stuff here glad i found ya! I still tell myself ill find a relic someday!
Your channel is so underrated, I love everything in your videos, the design and narration is as good as K and Generals but the voice is even better¡ I really hope your channel will grow more
I used to live in the Champlain valley and there is a lot of history from this period around there. Your videos are great, thank you for all your hard work.
If Arnold had gotten his wish and been killed at Saratoga, during this brilliant victory, millions of us would have graduated from Benedict Arnold high schools and colleges. Battleships and carriers would be named after him, as would forts and bases, and he'd probably be on our money, too. If not for that one little thing he did!
It's okay, he's president of the United States now ; )
Amazing content, keep it coming! Can't wait for the rest!!
This is one of the best Rev War videos I have ever seen on TH-cam and I have seen a lot. Amazing stuff! I can't wait to see your Philadelphia Campaign video!
Absolutely wonderful informative historical videos! Thank you and please keep them coming.
I very much enjoy that you describe the battles in the blow-meets-blow of the fighting. Too often these great battles are just described as one battle that is settled one way or another. The real fight is always more nuanced and brutal. Nicely done, sir !
Excellent! Thank you.
The videos just keep getting better, Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
Thank you! The support is really appreciated (and sorry for the late reply, I'm not sure how I missed this before)
Great video as always
Just found this channel through this video. Absolutely brilliant!
Seriously loving this series.
Wow. Didn't know it was 2 battles. Again, you're doing an awesome job with this series. Keep up the great work!
You've done an incredibly job with this series. given me a new appreciation for a subject that was made very bland through repition of "key" points throughout american history in school. fantastic series.
I've been watching and saving your videos on my nation's fight for freedom. You have done a fine job-- Thank you
Great video. Keep them coming!
I must say without a doubt, this is on par with, if not more immersive and personal than that of Epic History’s. I applaud you sir and look forward at what is to come!
Fantastic video and an amazing channel. What a character, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne. You should have mentioned that, once back in England, he became a successful playwright!
This is concise and thorough with OUTSTANDING graphics. From a Yankee history nut….VERY well done! Once desperate enemies, for over a century tight Allie’s🇺🇸🦅🇬🇧
Another great video, thank you.
Great video. Really enjoying this series!
Couple of notes:
1 - The use of Hessian Mercenaries and Indian Troops and potential atrocities (Jane McRae) caused a lot of militiamen to show up. By the time of the Battle of Bemis Heights, the Americans had about twice the number of troops than Burgoyne had.
2 - The Battles are called Saratoga because that is where the surrender took place (the town is now called Schuylerville). As noted by another commenter, the Battles took place closer to the town of Stillwater.
3 - Gates and Arnold hated each other and Arnold was confined to quarters for most of the 2nd Battle. Gates took all the credit for the win (though it was mostly Arnold). This led in a long way to Arnold's betrayal.
4 - There are no monuments at the battlefield or the obelisk dedicated to the battle with Arnold's name on them. The obelisk has 4 nooks and 3 statues with Arnold's missing. The only monument at all is a boot monument located where Arnold was wounded.
5 - The battle is not well known overall but a big deal locally. There is still a Surrender Day parade. It used to be in October, but was moved to coincide with the horse racing season in Saratoga Springs.
Thanks for the interesting notes Jim - particularly regarding the obelisk. It's certainly on my bucket list to visit the battlefield one day
5x grandad and his oldest son served under Jane’s brother John. There also a substantial number of militia that had served in the F&I (as my grandfather did) so were not “unblooded” and knew the ground well
@@HistoryRebelsand don't forget the entire 13 seconds dedicated to the Battle of the Bennington.... Not only the Battle that delivered the 76 flag but also the Battle responsible for the phrase LIVE FREE OR DIE --- I suspect the 13 seconds spent on it are because an entire video is planned on it
@@BoltzmannOcto That's definitely the plan for Bennington - I'll finish the Revolution chronologically first, and then come back to events like this
@@HistoryRebels sweet👍
That one item about Arnold doing a good thing was one I had never heard. Thanks for including that in your great video.
Love the graffics. Good job.
I recently moved to the Mohawk valley in New York a couple of years ago and have been to Fort Stanwix, and the Oriskany battlefield a few times in addition to Saratoga.
One of the things emphasized here is that the Battle of Oriskany broke the Great Law of Peace between the Iroquois and began a civil war. It is known today as “A Place of Great Sadness”.
I’m glad you all decided to include this mostly neglected part of the Saratoga campaign!
Wow, this was super well done! Loved every minute. Keep it up!
Love the video. It was great to listen too.
Another spectacular video from your channel. You're my go-to reference on this period I thought I knew so much about. 🙂In the future, if you find yourself looking for new areas to cover, I'd love to hear you talk a little about the Revolution in the Ohio Country - i.e. Point Pleasant, Peckuwe, etc. Either way, I'm subscribed and watching. ❤
Very cool and interesting. Well done annimation too! Thanks!
Excellent work here on the breakdown and steps leading up to this.
This was excellent! For a more in depth look at the Saratoga and Mohawk Valley Campaigns I'd recommend volume I and II of "With Musket and Tomahawk" by Michael Logusz. Looking forward to visiting these sites this year!
Excellent video
Being a native of Rome, NY the current location of Fort Stanwix and a history major in college, the entire campaign was known as The Pronged Attack. Between Ft. Stanwix holding out and General Herkimer’s forces at the Battle of Oriskany (the ravine east of Stanwix) British aspirations to split the colonies were never realized and thus we were taught was the turning point of the war.
Really good stuff keep up the good work
Thank you for the great video. Always a good day when you guys post.
Your content is great!
Great work thank you
I love these so much. Thanks for making them
Great work y'all! Loving this channel, can really tell you guys really enjoy what you do so keep it up please!
First class video. Keep up the excellent work.
Found out recently my ancestor (Hessian) fought in this battle. Afterwards escaping like so many did when in Albemarle Barracks in Virginia and thankfully established a family in what is now West Virginia.
I will watch every video you make man. They are so good! Keep it up!❤️🔥
This is the best documentary of the battles of the American revolution
Just stumbled across this video and it blew me away. Subscribed. Great work thanks for making this.
Great stuff. Looking forward to the Philadelphia Campaign!
Fascinating!!! Well Done!!!
HELLL YEAH!!!! Love this channel
Crazy how this channel only has 11k subs.
This all happened about 5 miles from where I grew up in Saratoga county, NY. I am a direct descendant of General Morgan.
This area is a wonderful place to visit and explore. I returned every year for about seven years and found something more with every trip. The privately financed restoration of Ft. Ticonderoga is superb.
Where in Saratoga county?
@pmanson7732 I lived off Plank Road, north of hwy 146, off exit 9. The battlefield is to the east, about 5 miles, overlooking the Hudson River. All this is in the southern part of the county.
@@michaelf7093 that’s Clifton park?
@pmanson7732 correct! Though back when I was a kid, our mailing address was Elnora, as there wasn't yet a post office in Clifton Park.
Thank you for you're work.i enjoyed learning about our history here in ny and did not realize was such a decisive battle in American History
Extremely good quality video
Excellent, high quality production...well done...thanks pal...
I really enjoyed this, Saratoga is one of my favourite battles. Glad I found this!
These episodes are really good I appreciate it 😂👍
Excellent videos. I wish there was a bit more detail on how much Arnold and Gates fought. But overall awesome work!
28:33 is that Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh NY? I know that area very very well. Ps love the history lesson. Thanks
These are always fun to watch as a saratoga native. I've found many balls in the fields as my aunt lives on the outskirts of the battle field
I live in between Saratoga and Ticonderoga (between Fort Edward and Fort Ann) and it is still incredible to me, to drive by Fort Ticonderoga or the battlefield in Saratoga or any other number of historical markers in the area, and think about what the area must have looked like back then and what it must have been like to live in that time. Sadly, it seems likely that most Americans today would collapse under the every-day pressures of life these people faced.
Great work, thank you
Visit the Saratoga Battle Field, it’s awesome!!
WELL DONE..👏👏👏 Thank You.
I can’t wait to see the next video which my guess is going to be about the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
Thanks for another great video. I wonder how much the initial abandonment of Fort Ticonderoga affected Burgoyne's later decision to push on to Albany amidst unfavourable developments. The Indian tribes were really interesting too, they play such an important role even though their numbers is small.
Appreciate the foreshadowing with Benedict Arnold.
This is excellent
My fifth greatgrandfathers fought in the revolution. One served two 3 year tours with George Washington's continental army. James Turner was a captain in the Virginia militia. I am very proud of my heritage, and my great uncles fought under Sherman in the march through Georgia. It's sad to see where America is now.
Sherman was a butcher...
@ninohiggs6339 Both sides had their share of butchers. At the point that the war was at it would take a man like Sherman to put the final nail in the coffin of the confederacy and slavery. Let's face it the only states right they were fighting for was the right to enslave humans for capital gain.
So very well done!
I wanted to make videos of these battles but heck, these would be hard to beat. ( I think it would be neat to have 3D to see the value of some of the hills mentioned)
Edit: these* beat*
Give it a try! Yeah I'd love to be able to make the maps 3D, but I have no idea how sadly
I just found your channel I LOVE IT! I'm former U.S. Marine turned amateur Historian. I would subscribe to your channel but you only have like 10 videos. If your still making videos then I will 100% subscribe.
Well done. Subbed
I hope the next video you make before you do the campaigns in the Southern colonies in the Philadelphia Campaign, like the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.
It will be! A double episode for them - Brandywine all the way to Monmouth
I live a few miles from the Oriskany (oh-RIS-ka-nee) Battlefield and the associated Fort Stanwix. I love to visit the battlefield in the summer and sit under a tree thinking about the men that died there. Also, they tore down part of Rome to rebuild the fort.
Me too , did you know the monument was a stone lock from the chenango canal near Clinton
Very well done and informative
According to a study among Militarty Historians, Saratoga was the most important, not the largest, but most important battle in the history of Military warfare as it let America become a country..that changed the world. "The Generals of Saratoga" is an excellent book.
@PeterCombs Harrison Bird "March to Saratoga" General Burgoyne and the American Campaign 1777, I found to be an easy read, well researched
NEW HAMPSHIRE MENTIONED 🗣‼️
It was such a shame that Horatio "Granny" Gates was dubbed the "Hero of Saratoga", having failed to mention Arnold's pivotal role in the battle. If anyone deserved that title, it was Arnold.
Many years later, a memorial dubbed the "Boot Monument" was built at the site of the Breymann Redoubt, where Arnold was injured. It doesn't mention him by name. Rather, it is a boot (symbolizing his injured leg) and a two-star epaulet draped over a howitzer barrel (symbolizing an individual with the rank of Major General), with the following inscription: In memory of the "most brilliant soldier" of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot the sally port of BURGOYNES 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.
If he had been shot in the heart at Saratoga instead of the leg, he would be remembered as one of the great heroes of the revolution... the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the march on Quebec, the naval battles on Lake Champlain, the Battle of Saratoga... rather than a traitor.
It was Gates who organised the American army in the North into an effective force.
Nope, Arnold didn't do enough to be deserving of being called the "hero of saratoga"
He was absent for most of the attack on Benis heights while also, most likely drunk
Not to mention how he nearly lost the battle of Freeman's farm
Very good. Just the facts. I like that.
As expected, it was a good video. However, I am a bit sad about the lack of mention of Tadeusz Kościuszko and his contribution. General Gates himself stated: "In the present case, the great tacticians of the campaign were hills and forests, which a young Polish Engineer was skilful enough to select for my encampment.”
@benjaminmorris4962 😄 The thought did cross my mind. Fun fact: George Washington reportedly spelled his name at least 11 different ways.
In my non-expert opinion, it’s in a sizable part thanks to Tadeusz Kosciuszko that we’re free today. He was the one slowing down Gentleman Johnny with the trees and he was the one who chose and fortified Bemis Heights. Bottom line, he was just as much the reason we won Saratoga, and as we know without Saratoga, we don’t get the French declaring war, and without them…we lose.
Just imagine if he were black? Every town and city in a his country would have his monument. Instead, he is relatively obscure despite his enormous contribution to this country
@kennethcarney5874 There are quite a few of his monuments and places named after him in the US and even more in Poland. The highest mountain in Australia is also named after Kościuszko (thanks to Polish explorer Paweł Edmund Strzelecki).
Kosciuszko also has some strong connections to the topic of Black history. He was decisively against slavery and in his Will he wrote that the proceeds of his American estate be spent on freeing and educating African-American slaves, including those of his friend Thomas Jefferson whom he named as the will's executor. It was never realized.
During his service in the Continental Army, his aid was a free Black volunteer Agrippa Hull. They simingly developed genuine friendship. Back in Europe, when Kościuszko fought for his homeland against Russia and Prussia, there was another Black man at his side; Jean Lapierre, known as Domingo (a mysterious fellow, likely from Saint-Domingue/Haiti). Finally, among Kościuszko's subordinates, there was a Black (mixed-raced) man raised as a Polish nobleman, Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski, who later became a general in French service.
You don't hear much about any of them either, don't you?
The win was all Arnolds doing, Gates was an incompetent
This is very well-illustrated. The British could never understand the American strategy of having a 'bend but don't break' defense. We could do this all day, whereas, logistically speaking, they could not.