The Battle of Saratoga

Written by: Angela Kennedy

In 1777, General Burgoyne traveled by boat to try and capture Albany, New York. The British felt that if they could get control of Albany, they can control the Hudson River. With control of the Hudson River they could control supplies, and the rest of the river. The British did not take into account that they did not know the territory for this reason they were slowed down. Soon, General Burgoyne decided to take half of his army to land so it reduces the risk of losing Albany should anything happen. On September 19th General Burgoyne and his army ran into General Gates and the Rebels. The battle soon began near the abandoned farm of Loyalist John Freeman. The British fought to maintain their line until the German auxiliary could get there later that night. With General Gates still blocking the way to Albany Burgoyne was forced to retreat.

General Burgoyne set up camp where they were because he did not want to lose ground. On October 7th General Burgoyne tried to sneak attack General Gates and the Rebels. The plan was soon ruined when the Rebels ran into them. General Gates army forced both the Read Coats and their reinforcements to retreat back to camp. Not wanting to lose any more men General Burgoyne decided to pull out, but because of icy roads was only able to make it to a little town of Saratoga before being surrounded by General Gates.

On October 17th, 1777 General Gates and his army surrendered themselves. The battle of Saratoga was a great win for the Americans. It boosted their confidence and new men were signing up to join in. I have a quote from Major General Dearborn One of the Greatest battles that Ever was fought in America The battle of Saratoga was an very important battle to fight.

General Burgoyne surrenders to General Gates.

The preceding information was provided by the staff at the Saratoga National Historical Park. 1999 Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, All Rights Reserved

Picture retrieved from Google.

Deborah Sampson
Written by: Angela Kennedy

Deborah Sampson was born in Plympton, Massachusetts in 1770. Being orphaned she was raised by friends and other relatives until she reached the age of 10 years old. From there on she had to educate herself. By the time she was twenty she had enough education to become a part time teacher. She was five foot eight inches tall, was big boned and strong. Late into the war she decided she wanted to participate, but not in the only way a woman could. She sewed a mans uniform and joined Captain George Webbs Infantry Company, Fourth Regiment, Massachusetts Continental Line. Under the name of Robert Shurleff, a name she made up. While she was sewing her uniform another soldier noticed that she was good with a needle for a man. She used the excuse of being the youngest of only boys. Her Regiment traveled to West Point to protect the Hudson Highlands. Along the way there were many encounters with the British army along No Mans Land. During the fight she received a flesh wound along the left side of her head. She did not go to the hospital, but tended the wound herself. She feared discovery, but a couple weeks later in another battle she was shot in the thigh. Unable this time to prevent going to the hospital she was carried there. Once there she was again scared she would be discovered so she told the doctor about her head wound and they let her go. Once, released she had to leave the musket ball in her thigh and tended it herself, she had problems the rest of her life. Later when her Regiment was transferred to Philadelphia, she fell sick and was taken to a hospital after fainting. The doctor found out and was going to keep her secret when his niece fell in love with Deborah. Of course then her secret had to be told. General Patterson told General Henry Knox, who told General George Washington. George Washington told them to have her honorable discharged. On October 25 , 1783 General Knox signed the document. Letters were written and presented th for her by General William Shepard, Colonel Henry Jackson, and General Patterson. On April 7 , 1785, Deborah married Benjamin Gannett, a farmer. She gave birth to three of his children. In 1805 she was awarded $4.00 a month, because of her thigh wound, but in 1818 she was granted more and then received $8.00 per month. She was believed to be the first woman lectured. She lectured on her wartime experiences. She would then put on her uniform and demonstrated the manual of arms. Deborah died in Sharon, Massachusetts her tombstone reads Deborah wife of Benjamin Gannett, died April 29, 1827, aged 68 years. On the back it reads Deborah Sampson Gannett, Robert Shurleff, The Female Soldier Service 1781-1783
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"America's First Woman Warrior" by Lucy Freeman

Deborah Sampson