this sudden movement would have proved serious to the Americans in their plundering situation, had they not been supported by Col. Warner's regiment of continentals, which arrived from Manchester at this critical moment, and supported the action, until the militia could collect and advance to the charge; when the action again became general, and continued through the day. The Germans again gave way, and under cover of the night, secured their retreat, leaving their artillery, baggage, &c. with 200 slain, and 700 prisoners, among which was Col. Baum. This was a valiant action, and proved ruinous to the expedition of Gen. Burgoyne. The merits of Gen. Stark were applauded by a special resolve of Congress, and they honoured him with the appointment of brigadier general, in the continental army, October 4th. Gen. Gates, who had been detached by Gen. Washington, to the command of the northern army, arrived at this critical moment and took the command, under the influence of that spirit, and animation, with which the battle of Bennington had inspired the army. This was the first success the northern army had enjoyed, and it gave them fresh hopes, and fresh courage, and inspired the country with new zeal, which was displayed in the alacrity with which the militia turned out, and joined the army. The presence of the new general, added to the successes at Benington, inspired the northern army with fresh confidence; they shewed a firm front to the enemy, and began to advance to meet him. Gen. Lincoln at this time, supported by Colonels Brown, Woodbridge, and Johnson, threw himself into the rear of Gen. Burgoyne, and on the 18th, Col. Brown destroyed the British stores at the landing, at Lake George, and released the American prisoners; and commenced opera. tions at the same time against Fort Ti and Skeensborough, with success. Pending these operations Gen. Burgoyne crossed the Hudson, and encamped with his whole army upon the plains of Saratoga. He next moved forward upon the banks of the Hudson, and took post upon the heights of Stillwater, within three miles of Gen. Gates. September 18th, General Gates detached about three thousand men to offer the enemy battle; but he declined the combat. On the 19th, the scouting parties of the two armies commenced a skirmishing that led to a general action, which lasted through the day, and was supported with great zeal, and intrepid bravery. displayed the second volume of Bunker's Hill. ardor in combat, on the part of the Americans, and the same deadly carnage on the part of the British; night closed the scene, and the generals drew off their armies. to protect their camps, and waited with impatience the returning day. Here was The loss of the British in this action was estimated at 500 killed, wounded, and taken prisoners; and the loss of the Americans, about 300, being about one eighth of the whole number engaged. The army of General Gates at this time was about 7000 strong, exclusive of the troops under General Lincoln, who had not then joined him; but had returned from the lake as far as Bennington. The Indians mostly deserted the standard of General Burgoyne, after this action, and four of the Five Nations favoured General Gates, and furnished him with about 150 warriors, who joined him on the 20th. From this time to the 7th of October, the two armies were within cannon shot of each other, and witnessed frequent skirmishings, both night and day. These harassed the armies with constant alarms. On the 29th of September, General Lincoln joined General Gates with 2000 men. General Burgoyne communicated to Sir Henry Clinton, at New-York, his true situation, and requested his mutual co-operation. General Gates at the same time disclosed to General Washington the privations of the American army, in provisions, ammunition, &c. General Howe at this time received a reinforcement of 2000 men from Eu rope, and commenced his operations on the North River, to make a diversion in favour of General Burgoyne; commenced an attack upon the Highlands, and carried the fortress at the point of the bayonet, October 6th. This enabled him to remove the obstructions in the river, and open a free passage for his shipping. This success was communicated immediately to General Burgoyne; but it arrived too late. On the 7th of October, General Burgoyne detached a strong party to open a way for his retreat, and at the same time to cover a foraging party, which was sent out to relieve the distresses of the army. General Burgoyne made a movement in person at the head of 1500 men, supported by General Frazer and others. These movements opened the way for another action, which commenced immedi. ately, and was supported with great zeal, by both parties, through the day. The Americans were successful at allpoints. General Arnold fought with desperation, and was wounded in the conflict. The British suffered severely through the day, and night again closed the scene. Gen. Frazer, and Sir James Clark, aid to General Burgoyne, were mortally wounded; and the latter taken prisoner. The British army suffered so severely in this action, that General Burgoyne was obliged to change his position in' the night, from the plain onto the heights, to save his army from immediate destruction. The Americans were supplied with ammunition, in the spoils of the British camp. On the 8th the British were under arms through the day, expecting a momentary attack; and at sunset the day was closed with the solemnity of a funeral procession, that paid the last honours to the remains of the brave General Frazer. The Americans from their camp witnessed the scene, and sympathy in obedience to nature dropt a tear. On the 7th General Burgoyne saw himself so closely invested in his camp, that it became necessary to retreat to Saratoga to save his army; this he effected by a regular movement, and without loss, excepting his hospital of sick and wounded, which he was constrained to abandon to the mercy of the Americans, and General Gates did honour to the American character, by the display of benevolence and humanity which he exhibited upon the occasion. The movements of General Gates shewed to General Burgoyne the next day, that all the passes in his rear, were strongly guarded by the Americans, and that all further retreat was impracticable. Stung with chagrin and mortification, at the forlorn situation into which he had precipitated himself, General Burgoyne had recourse to every possible expedient, that could flatter his hopes, in withdrawing his army from the toils in which he found himself taken; but all in vain. General Gates, like a vigilant, able, active officer, had availed himself of every point that could secure the victory he had gained on the 7th, and General Burgoyne found himself so closely invested in his camp at Saratoga, that all further efforts were in vain. On the 13th he called a council of war, and such was the local situation of the two armies, that an 18 pound shot crossed the table where the council were deliberating, and their result became unanimous, to make terms with Gen. Gates. Gen. Burgoyne sent out a flag to open a treaty with Gen. Gates. Gen. Gates met this treaty with his proposals, which were sent in to Gen. Burgoyne, and reject ed. Gen. Burgoyne sent out proposals in his turn, which were accepted on the 15th. Pending this negociation, the news of the capture of the Highlands, as before noticed, reached Gen. Burgoyne, which led him to hesitate, and decline signing the treaty, in hopes of succour from Sir Henry Clinton, from NewYork, as had been promised. Gen. Gates, alive to the sense of the danger of delay at this critical moment, drew up his army in order of battle on the morning of the 17th, and sent a flag to Gen. Burgoyne, demanding his decision in ten minutes. Burgoyne felt the responsibility, signed the treaty, and returned it to Gen. Gates in time. The whole British army marched out of their lines, and deposited their arms, and became prisoners of war; and Gen. Gates marched his army in, under the tune of Yankee Doodle, and took quiet possession. Gen. Gates ordered supplies to be issued to the British army, who were destitute, and the solemn scene was closed. Such, and so various are the scenes of life, and the fates of men; such, and so fickle is the fortune of war; but firm and unshaken is the providence of God; wisdom and might and strength are his. Sir Henry Clinton detached Sir James Wallace, and Gen. Vaughan, with a flying squadron, carrying 3600 troops, to penetrate, if possible, to the camp of Gen. Burgoyne, or make such a diversion as should afford him relief. This fleet arrived at Esopus on the 13th, and there learning the fate of Burgoyne, set fire to the village, and consumed it. Had they proceeded to Albany, they might have destoyed the place, with the American stores, and Burgoyne might have been relieved. Had Sir Henry Clinton proceeded directly to Albany, after the capture of the Highlands on the 6th, Burgoyne might have been relieved. The enquiry has often been made, Why this un |