John Burgoyne
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Also known as "Gentleman Johnny", British General John Burgoyne was very intelligent and always made the right moves. John Burgoyne was born on February 24th, 1723. He entered the army at only 15 years of age, but had a good education throughout the years before. Besides Saratoga, John Burgoyne was involved in several other battles. Burgoyne was a part of the Seven Years War. He played a large role in invasions on the French coasts in 1758, taking over the towns of Cherbourg and St. Malo. In 1759, Burgoyne was appointed as captain-lieutenant of the Coldstream Guard. Three years later, he was elected to Parliament. In 1772, Burgoyne was appointed as Major
General. After his promotion, Burgoyne was sent to America, and he arrived in Boston to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1776, Burgoyne convinced the King to send him and an army of troops to Canada to slowly work into America and conquer the country. When he made his way down through the Northeast part of the United States, Burgoyne and his men easly captured Fort Ticonderoga. When he continued southward, Burgoyne began experiencing trouble. He was running low on supplies. Burgoyne sent Barry St. Leger a message to give him support from the west, but St. Leger was stopped by American forces. On October 7th, Burgoyne's forces desperately attacked Bemis Heights, but were defeated. They retreated to Saratoga, where they were besieged by American forces. Burgoyne was forced to surrender to the patriots. Burgoyne returned to England after his defeat. He was picked on by citizens and could not clear his name, no matter how hard he tried. John Burgoyne died in 1792 and was buried Westminster Abbey.
General. After his promotion, Burgoyne was sent to America, and he arrived in Boston to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1776, Burgoyne convinced the King to send him and an army of troops to Canada to slowly work into America and conquer the country. When he made his way down through the Northeast part of the United States, Burgoyne and his men easly captured Fort Ticonderoga. When he continued southward, Burgoyne began experiencing trouble. He was running low on supplies. Burgoyne sent Barry St. Leger a message to give him support from the west, but St. Leger was stopped by American forces. On October 7th, Burgoyne's forces desperately attacked Bemis Heights, but were defeated. They retreated to Saratoga, where they were besieged by American forces. Burgoyne was forced to surrender to the patriots. Burgoyne returned to England after his defeat. He was picked on by citizens and could not clear his name, no matter how hard he tried. John Burgoyne died in 1792 and was buried Westminster Abbey.
Horatio Gates
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It is said that General Horatio Gates, despite his success in the Revolutionary War, had little personal courage when it came to fighting. Gates is more well known as being a common challenge for George Washington, and for trying to get him removed as Commander-in-Chief. What is known is that Gates was very successful. Horatio Gates was born in Maldon, Essex, England, sometime between 1727 and 1728. It is thought that his parents were Houskeepers of the Duke of Leeds. At age 22, Gates joined the British army under the command of Edward Cornwallis. Not long after he was promoted to Major, he was with General Edward Braddock when he was defeated in the French and Indian War. During the war, Gates was badly wounded, and was disabled for some time. He married Elizabeth Phillips and they had a son named Robert. When the Revolutionary War began, Horatio Gates fought along side the American army. Not long after the evacuation of Boston in 1776, Gates had a conflict with General Schuyler over the command of the North Department. The congress went with Schuyler, and Gates was under command of Schuyler. Gates and General Schuyler met again to fight the Battle of Ticonderoga. Schuyler was nearly defeated, so Gates took control of his men and won the battle. After winning the first Battle of Saratoga (also known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm), Horatio Gates led the troops on, and eventually forced the surrender of General Burgoyne. In 1778, Gates retired from the Board of War and was appointed Commander of the Eastern Department. After, he retired back to his Virginia Estate. In 1780, Horatio Gates took control of the Southern Department, which was untrained militia. His army was attacked by Cornwallis and his army, and were defeated. In 1783, Gates was elected as vice-president of the National Order of Cincinnati. Gates retired in 1784, and was replaced with Nathanael Greene. Gates died of old age on April 10th, 1806. There is a street named after him in Manhattan.
Benedict Arnold
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Most famous for betraying the American army, Benedict Arnold was very brave and valiant when it came to war. Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 14th, 1741. In 1757, Arnold joined the militia, then traveled to New York to battle the French. Arnold began the war as a miltia captain. Following battles at Lexington and Concord, Arnold traveled East to Boston, and made a plan to take control of Fort Ticonderoga in New York. Arnold also convince George Washington to let him lead an attack on Quebec. Despite success, Arnold was a disruptive character. He had many enemies. Benedict Arnold was repeatedly accused of corruption. In 1778, Benedict Arnold met British Major John Andre. Arnold adapted ways of retaining contact with British soldiers across battle lines. By Summer time, Arnold was giving the British much of the Americans' information. Arnold and Andre met in person in September of 1780 to discuss the operation of transferring assets from Connecticut to England. Andre was captured by the American army, and Arnold's role was revealed. Arnold fled, and soon, he began openly fighting for the British. After the surrender of the British reached New York, Arnold requested to return back to England with his family.