Not Welcome Here: Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne Invades New York

A 2021 BGES Revolutionary War Field University Program

With Scott Patchan

June 2-6, 2021, from Lake George, New York

Crown Point, NY. 2006. Courtesy Wikipedia.

In 1777, events in North America took a decisive turn with the defeat and surrender of British forces under the command of Gen. John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne at Saratoga. The decisive nature of the British defeat convinced the French king Louis XVI to authorize an alliance with the rebellious American colonies. Perhaps further military successes in the British colonies would aid the French in Quebec and the West Indies. It would be a marriage of convenience but was timely, because four years later the French fleet and French soldiers, aligned with General Washington’s soldiers, would ring down the curtain on military operations in North America at Yorktown.

How could this happen and what decisions were made that led to this decisive change in American fortunes? Certainly, the British expected great things from their North American armies, and the dispatch of General Burgoyne with a mandate to link up with General Howe in upstate New York was a strategy worthy of the great British Empire. Join us as Scott Patchan continues his systematic trek across the operational theater created by Gen. George Washington and this most decisive of campaigns.

Watch Scott Patchan’s YouTube interview on this program by clicking here.

Itinerary

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

6:00 PM. Meet in the lobby at the Hampton Inn, Lake George, to pick up your name tag and reading books. You will also meet the other members of your cohort. Our opening night discussion will bring you Scott outlining the factors that led to Burgoyne’s Campaign and General Howe’s response. You will meet the personalities and strategic considerations that focused the armies on the Hudson River barrier. Dinner is on your own after 7:30 PM.

Thursday, June 3, 2021

After Burgoyne arrived in Canada, he moved with alacrity while overriding the authority of the Canadian commander Gen. Sir Guy Carlton. Burgoyne was not titled, unlike other North American British commanders, and his sudden appearance with a King’s commission to command an expedition into upstate New York no doubt raised some eyebrows and ruffled some military feathers. We will immediately move to Crown Point a few miles above Fort Ticonderoga, where Burgoyne’s forces burst into the theater. This splendid ruin had been built during the French and Indian War to house the British army, and its massive size may have provided some undeserved security to the British commander. As we discuss the challenges Burgoyne would face, we will move to and occupy Fort Ticonderoga. This impressive structure was already legendary by 1777, and we will devote time and respect to that history even as we brace up for Burgoyne. Terrain compromises the fort, and we will see that as we visit Mounts Independence and Defiance. Lunch is included, but dinner is on your own.

Friday, June 4, 2021

The Americans lacked the combat capability to resist Burgoyne’s advancement and withdrew from the vicinity of Fort Ticonderoga. We spend today examining that retreat, starting with the engagement at Hubbardton, Vermont, a very tight little battlefield that is easily interpreted. We will continue to fall back along the eastern shore of Lake George to Skenesborough, where the American fleet, such as it was, was defeated in a rather unremarkable water engagement on Lake George. The action moves to Fort Anne, where the Americans successfully resist the British advance. The day finishes with a visit to Fort George and to discuss its role in the campaign. A benefit of the trip is that is covers much of the same ground fought over in the French and Indian War, and we will point that out to you. Lunch is provided, and dinner is on your own.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

Burgoyne had split his forces, and a column under the command of Barry St. Leger looped far to the west near Fort Oswego to come in along the Mohawk River to the east. The operation did not go smoothly, but American forces were holed up at Fort Stanwix for nearly three weeks throughout August. The most significant battle of the operation took place just to the east at Oriskany, where rebel relief forces, including Indians under the command of Nicholas Herkimer, battled Tories and friendly Indians. St. Leger fended off the attack but was dramatically weakened when his Indian allies began to desert. If all goes well, we will take you to a bonus site that is never visited but is a forgotten and bloody event of the war. Lunch and dinner are included.

Sunday June 6, 2021

Our last day neatly wraps the campaign starting with the Patriots’ route of a German column under the command of Col. Frederich von Baum’s Hessians at Bennington. General Stark, the victorious commander, is often overlooked but was a significant asset for the Patriots’ cause. We then move to the national park at Saratoga, where the remainder of our day will evaluate the two significant operations along the banks of the Hudson River. The initial fighting took place at Freemen’s Farm, while the final and decisive military operations were near Bemis Heights four weeks later on October 7, 1777. On this day, you will meet legends such as Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold—the latter’s performance here established him as an officer of exceptional promise. Of course, history tells us that Arnold’s reputation and fortunes turned shortly thereafter—but at Saratoga he was an Ajax! Lunch is included.

About the Faculty

Scott Patchan is at the top of a very short list of historians of any type who understand and can present northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. He has begun to develop the same reputation in the Revolutionary War. He presents a very cogent story that is firmly based on extensive research and a “boots on the ground” prep style. He is not a so-called “academic” historian, but you ignore him at the risk of missing a very well-done program.

Hotel Information

This program will be based at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 2133 Route 9, Lake George, New York. Call 518-668-4100 and ask for the Saratoga Tour rate of $134 per night plus 11% tax. Our block of rooms expires May 12. The rack rate at the hotel ranges around $179 plus tax, so you do not want to miss the chance to reserve against our block.

Transportation

Albany is the capital of New York. The servicing airport is Albany (ALB). Southwest Airlines serves ALB, ensuring that airfares are competitive. The area is easily accessed by I-87, I-88, and I-90. Albany is also served by Amtrak. You will need a rental car if you fly in or take the train to Fort Edward. That is about a half-hour from our hotel. Albany has the most travel options.

Register for this program using a secure PayPal link

Registration includes four lunches, a dinner, a reading book with maps, the academic program, all admissions, support of two professional historians, tour director, and transportation appropriate to the registration, which will be limited to two vans: 18 people. We will also provide snacks and bottled water.