by Meri Parker
Camp, near Saratoga, New York
Oct. 18, 1777
My dear Frances,
I finally have joyful news to share with you. After 33 days of fighting and bloodshed, General John Burgoyne has formally surrendered to our General Horatio Gates, after requesting a ceasefire five days ago following his defeat at Bemis Hill. While we have not kept a full account of our enemy’s dead, Arnold’s actions during the decisive battle at Bemis Heights eleven days ago reduced the British numbers under Burgoyne to less than 6,000 men. His mad dash across the open field to join our forces from the flank after securing his initial charge could not have been anticipated by their Hessian commander, Colonel von Breymann, and even though Arnold was wounded, the morale he gave our allies carried through the battle, and the 900 soldiers who survived our assault fled in disarray, leaving their commander dead on the field with the 600 other casualties. By the grace of God, our forces only suffered a fraction of these casualties, though even one American life lost to the Redcoats is too many, never mind 150. It is a miracle alone that Arnold was not killed in his prank, for that is what it was, but only shot in the leg.
My dearest Frances, you would not believe the scene that presented itself at Burgoyne’s surrender. He came marching out to the beat of drums, and had doffed his red coat in favor of blue. General Gates was there to accept General Burgoyne’s surrender, and to confirm the details of the surrender they had been discussing since the ceasefire. These are apparently being called the Articles of Convention[1], and I know I cannot be alone in my feeling that these are too lenient on the British troops[2]. These articles would allow Burgoyne to go free with his remaining men back to England. While they await the ships that will bring them back to England, the officers will be allowed to keep weapons on them, and Burgoyne and his men shall receive the same rations for the journey to Massachusetts Bay that we receive ourselves.[3] Winter is nearly upon us, and I do not believe General Gates understands just what this treaty will do for his own men. I’ve spoken to a few of my fellow soldiers, and we plan to write to James Warren of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress regarding this matter. I’m sure he will share our concern and will take appropriate action.[4] There are rumors that this surrender was appropriately timed, as General Clinton was set to arrive with reinforcements from the south, and the flank attack would have caused the tide of the battle to turn quite differently[5]
My good friend Thomas Seymour does not share my opinion on the terms of Burgoyne’s surrender. The way he sees it, these articles make Burgoyne and his men prisoners of war[6]. I’ve not heard of sending our prisoners to their homeland, especially a strong general as Burgoyne is, for he presented himself as a formidable foe against our allies at Fort Ticonderoga back in June[7]. Thomas does have the right of it with one thing, though – Burgoyne surely now regrets his taunts against our patriotic brothers. He is writing to someone – I have not caught the name – to express his own happiness at our victory here in Saratoga. I have asked after some of the contents, as he may be aware of more than I, and Thomas told me that he predicts an ally of General Burgoyne, Sir Henry Clinton, will now retreat his army south rather than face us at the site of our triumph.[8] My dear Frances, please keep yourself safe. Do not open our door to these redcoats – I have already said that Burgoyne donned a blue coat for his surrender. I do not doubt that others will resort to similar trickery – disguising themselves in the clothes of a patriot – to gain access to our homes, nor that they are above committing atrocities against our wives and children as revenge for our victories. I could not stand it if something were to happen to you, or, God forbid, our little Jacob. Let them stay at the homes of the Loyalist traitors, who do not support our independence.
I have not written yet on what this victory could mean for our soldiers and the war effort. I know you have not heard this yet, but last May, King Louis XVI of France authorized a subsidy of one million livres to aid our war of independence[9]. This is an enormous sum, but what we truly need is manpower. With this victory, particularly in light of General Washington’s defeat and capture of the Hessian mercenaries last Christmas, taking 948 prisoners without suffering a single loss of American life, there is hope of securing more substantial aid. Our leaders, including Patrick Henry, the governor of Virginia, have been in communication with French military leaders to send naval assistance against the British troops[10], but the French have so far been hesitant to provide further help to our cause. The reasons for this evade me, as I am not in high enough command to be told of them, but I do not believe they can ignore our requests any longer, despite our losses of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, south of our home in Schenectady[11]. French naval forces traveling down the Hudson from Canada would be instrumental in evicting the Redcoats from these forts, once again strengthening our hold on the Hudson in New York. It seems that our concerns now will also turn to Philadelphia, which has been under the control of General Howe, one of the British generals who was meant to rendezvous with Burgoyne before the first battle at Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, since September[12]. How the arrogance of the British generals have backfired upon them!
I tell you that Philadelphia is our next goal so that you understand why I may not be able to be with you and Jacob this Christmas. Ejecting Howe from our capital will be the final nail in the coffin of the British commanders, and will bring this war to a decisive end. Our independence must be maintained. You know as well as I that the British treated our colonies unfairly, and I will not go back under their rule without knowing that I have done all I can to fight for our freedom. We will stay in Saratoga for a time longer, as we are due for a visit from Henry Knox, whom Arnold contacted as soon as terms of surrender were determined. He will give us further instruction on the transport of our cannons to aid in the effort in Philadelphia, and will arrive from Boston if Benjamin Lincoln is not feeling up for the journey within the next few weeks[13]. The order to transport cannons has come from General Washington himself, and their use to siege Philadelphia will be a classic use of tried and true warfare[14]. Should this journey be delayed, I shall see you for Christmas and we shall celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord as a family.
This letter is being sent with the correspondence of other soldiers, including Thomas Seymour. We have a mail runner who will travel south to Albany, delivering all letters along his journey. I hope you will find my words in your hands soon. Give Jacob my love, and tell him his father will surely be home soon.
Always your beloved husband,
R. M.
[1] King, David C. 2002. “Saratoga: The Turning Point of the American Revolution.” In Saratoga, 16. US: Lerner Publishing Group.
[2] Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814). Elbridge Gerry to James Warren regarding the surrender at Saratoga and general politics. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC03239. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[3] “Avalon Project – Articles Of Convention Between Lieutenant-General Burgoyne And Major General Gates; October 16, 1777”. 2020. Avalon.Law.Yale.Edu.
[4] Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814). Elbridge Gerry to James Warren regarding the surrender at Saratoga and general politics. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC03239. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[5] King, David C. 2002. “Saratoga: The Turning Point of the American Revolution.” In Saratoga, 16. US: Lerner Publishing Group.
[6] Seymour, Thomas (1734-1829). Thomas Seymour to unknown regarding the American victory at Saratoga. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC04495. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[7] King, David C. 2002. “Saratoga: The Turning Point of the American Revolution.” In Saratoga, 16. US: Lerner Publishing Group.
[8] Seymour, Thomas (1734-1829). Thomas Seymour to unknown regarding the American victory at Saratoga. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC04495. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[9] Meng, John J. “A Footnote to Secret Aid in the American Revolution.” The American Historical Review 43, no. 4 (1938): 795.
[10] Henry, Patrick (1736-1799). Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee celebrating the American victory at Saratoga. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC08973.01. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[11] Knox, Henry (1750-1806). Henry Knox to Lucy Knox on war news and John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga, New York. [Correspondence]. At: Place: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. GLC02437.00662. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[12] King, David C. 2002. “Saratoga: The Turning Point of the American Revolution.” In Saratoga, 16. US: Lerner Publishing Group.
[13] Knox, Henry (1750-1806). Henry Knox to Benjamin Lincoln on the victory at Saratoga, New York and other war news. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, American History, 1493-1945.
[14] Christon I. Archer et al., World History of Warfare (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2002).
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