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Revolutionary War Turning Points: Saratoga and Valley Forge
A letter to John Hancock from Horatio Gates concerning the victory at Freeman’s Farm during the Saratoga campaign.

A letter to John Hancock from Horatio Gates concerning the victory at Freeman’s Farm during the Saratoga campaign.

American General Horatio Gates wrote this four-page handwritten letter, dated October 12, 1777, to John Hancock, who was then serving as President of the Continental Congress. Gates speaks to the condition of his men as well as the whereabouts of General Burgoyne.

Transcription:

Campt at Saratoga Oct 12th 1777

Sir,

I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency with the great success of the of the Army of the United States in the [[object Object]]

On the 7th just the heavy attacked [[object Object]] Picked up on loss which decent [[object Object]] about the same hour of the day, and near [[object Object]] same spot of ground where that of the 19th of Sept was fought. From 3 o’clock in the Afternoon until almost Night the Conflict was very warm & bloody, when the heavy by a precipitate retreat determined the Fate of the Day leaving in our Hand eight pieces of Brass cannon, the Tents and Baggage of men Flying Army, a large quantity of [[object Object]] ammunition, a considerable number [[object Object]] wounded and Prisoner amongst [[object Object]] following principal officer [[object Object]] who commanded the artillery, Major Ackland who commanded the Corps of Grenadier, Capt. Money(?) who commanded L. M. Gnl and Sir Francis Clark principal Aide de Camp to his Excellency Genl Burgoyne. The loss upon our side is not more than killed and

[[object Object]]

wounded. Amongst the latter is the gallant Major Genl Arnold whose Leg was fractured by a Musket Ball as he was forcing the heavy’s Breach Work(?). Too much Praise cannot be given to the Corps commanded by Col. Morgan consisting of his [[object Object]] Regiment, and the light infantry of the [[object Object]] under Major Dearborn. But it would be [[object Object]] not to say that the whole body organized [[object Object]] the Honor & applause due to such exalted Merit. The Night after the action the heavy took part in the strong entrenched camp upon their loſs. Genl. Lincoln, whose decision was opposite to the heavy, going in the Afternoon to direct a cannonade to annoy their Camp, received a Musket Ball in his Leg which shattered the Bone. This has deprived me of the Assistance of one of the best officers as well as Men. His Loss at this Time [[object Object]] too much regretted. I am in Hopes his [[object Object]] be saved.

The 9th at midnight the heavy quitted their entrenchments & retired to Saratoga. Early in the Morning of the 9th I [[object Object]] the enclosed letter from Genl Burgoyne acquainting me that he left his whole Hospital to my protection, in which are 300 wounded officers & soldiers. Brigadier

[[object Object]]

Brigadr Genl Frazer who commanded the flying army of the heavy was killed the 7th [[object Object]] ___ At one o’clock in the Morning of the 10th I [[object Object]] the enclosed letter from Genl Burgoyne with Lady Harriet Ackland. That morning as soon as the army could be properly put in Motion, I marched in Pursuit of the heavy and arrived here in [[object Object]] and found the heavy had taken [[object Object]] the opposite side of the (unclear) Hill in a entrenched camp which they occupied upon their advancing down the Country. The heavy have burnt all the houses before them as they (unclear). The extensive Buildings and Mills & belonging Major Genl Schuyler are also laid in ashes.

This shameful Behavior [[object Object]] by sending a Drum with the enclosed [[object Object]] to Genl Burgoyne. I am [[object Object]] your Excellency that [[object Object]] a deep Root in the Royal [[object Object]] particularly among the Germans who come to us in shoals. I am so (unclear) pressed on every side with Buiness that is impossible for me to be more

[[object Object]]

more particular now, but I hope in a few days to have Leisure to acquaint your Excellency with every Circumstance at present omitted.

I am with great respect your Excellency’s most obd hble Ser.

Horatio Gates

His Excellency John Hancock, Esq.

[[object Object]]

Copy of Letter from Horatio Gates Campt at Saratoga

Oct. 12, 1777

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Citation Information
Gates, Horatio, “Letter to John Hancock, about Battle of Freeman's Farm and casualties,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/a92556833d12573edf94f4776e27bea8.
Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library via Internet Archive.

Tips for Students

For this source, consider:

  • the author's point of view
  • the author's purpose
  • historical context
  • audience

Item 3 of 14 in the Primary Source Set Revolutionary War Turning Points: Saratoga and Valley Forge

Previous ItemNext Item
A map displaying the American and British lines during the second Battle of Saratoga.
Excerpts from a 1975 National Park Service publication which explores the key events of the Saratoga campaign.
A letter to John Hancock from Horatio Gates concerning the victory at Freeman’s Farm during the Saratoga campaign.
A lithograph showing the types of redoubts (fortifications) used by the artillery during the Battles of Saratoga.
A lithograph showing the moment Benedict Arnold is wounded while attacking a German fortification during the fighting at Saratoga.
A nineteenth-century lithograph which depicts British General John Burgoyne’s formal surrender to American General Horatio Gates.
Excerpts from an 1852 pamphlet sharing anecdotes from the life of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.
A map detailing the Continental Army’s encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777 to 1778.
An excerpt from The History of Valley Forge, written by Henry Woodman, whose father was a soldier with George Washington’s troops.
A lithograph depicting George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette during the Valley Forge winter.
An 1877 lithograph, The March to Valley Forge.
A nineteenth-century lithograph entitled The Prayer at Valley Forge.
A photograph of George Washington’s headquarters at Valley Forge.
A photograph of a reconstructed soldier’s hut at Valley Forge.

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