978-1-4222-3353-5

A Tale of Two Campaigns

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Invasion from Canada In June 1777, General John Burgoyne led an 8,000-man force of British regulars, Hessians, and Canadian militiamen out of Quebec. Gentleman Johnny, as Burgoyne was known, planned to move south to the Hudson River. At the same time, a smaller force would head down the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario, then move eastward along the Mohawk River. That force, commanded by Brigadier General Barry St. Leger, would link up with Burgoyne at Albany. They would then drive south, down the Hudson River. General Howe, meanwhile, would lead troops north from New York City to meet them. Burgoyne thought the British would emerge from the campaign with complete control of the Hudson River valley. This would cut off the four New England colonies and, he believed, strangle the American Revolution. At first, Burgoyne’s plan went smoothly. His force moved across the length of Lake Champlain. In early July, they compelled the Americans to abandon Fort Ticonderoga. To the west, St. Leger was also making progress. His 1,700-man force— consisting of redcoats, Canadian militia fighters, Loyalists, and Iroquois Indians—began a siege of Fort Stanwix on August 2. The fort commanded the headwaters of the Mohawk River. An American attempt to relieve Fort Stanwix’s defenders was stopped on August 6, at the uncommonly brutal Battle of Oriskany. But St. Leger’s

Words to UNDERSTAND IN THIS chapter deplete —to use up the resources of something. letter of marque —a government license that allows a pri- vate ship owner to commit actions that would otherwise be considered piracy, such as attacking and capturing enemy ships. .

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