Saratoga

Often referred to as the turning point of the American Revolution, the Saratoga Campaign has had much ink spilled about its causes, leaders and consequences. Less has been recorded about the individuals who participated in this political drama. This book presents the experiences of the real people involved in the Saratoga Campaign. from squabbling English politicians and ambitious generals—both British and American—to intercolonial jealousies. Focusing on the testimonies of people who are largely overlooked, this history sheds light on the most human aspects of the campaign, so often forgotten.

James S. Pula is a professor emeritus of history at Purdue University Northwest. The author of numerous books, his work has been honored with the Mieczysław Haiman Award for sustained scholarly contributions to Polish American history and culture, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Council for Polish Culture, three Oskar Halecki Prizes for various books, the U. S. Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award, and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, among others.

James S. Pula
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 238
Bibliographic Info: 59 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9611-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5419-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

 1. “Thoughts for Conducting the War” 5

 2. “To Answer the Public Expectation” 17

 3. “This Army Must Not Retreat” 28

 4. “Till We Shoot a General” 44

 5. “The Enemy Are Upon Us” 57

 6. “We Are in Want of Every Kind of Necessities” 70

 7. “The Horror of These Scenes” 89

 8. “The Hottest Part of the Year” 103

 9. “We Shall Try the Countenance of Mr. Gates” 117

10. “All is Hostile and Dangerous” 136

11. “To Risque All Upon One Throw” 150

12. “Very Great Indeed Were the Stresses” 163

13. “The Late Intelligence from America” 181

Appendix A. Dramatis Personae 195

Appendix B. “Thoughts for Conducting the War from

  the Side of Canada” 200

Appendix C. Articles of the Convention Between Lieutenant

  General Burgoyne and Major General Gates 205

Appendix D. “Treaty of Alliance Between the

  United States and France” 207

Chapter Notes 211

Bibliography 221

Index 227