| The British
wanted to take control of the Hudson River Valley to cut
off New England from the other colonies. General Burgoyne
with 7,700 troops approached Albany, New York, from
Canada. On his way, Burgoyne defeated American forces at
Fort Ticonderoga. Another group of troops, led by
Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger, were to join him from
Canada. General Howe also was to join him from New York.
Together they were to attack the American troops.
Unfortunately for Burgoyne, St. Leger's troops ran into Benedict Arnold
and his American militia. St. Leger and his troops were forced to retreat
back to Canada. Even worse, General Howe's forces were fighting with Washington
at the Battle of Brandywine and then the Battle
of Germantown. This kept him from joining Burgoyne.
General Burgoyne's forces attacked General Gates' American forces at
the Battle of Oriskany, but he was driven
back. He attacked again at the Battle of Bennington,
and was again driven back. |
