these advantages were on the point of
being exposed to imminent hazard. "On the morning of the
eleventh, Gates called the general officers together, and
informed them of his having received certain intelligence,
which might be depended upon, that the main body of
Burgoyne's army was marched off for fort Edward with what
they could take; and that the rear guard only was left in
the camp, who, after awhile, were to push off as fast as
possible, leaving the heavy baggage behind. On this it was
concluded to advance and attack the camp in half an hour.
The officers repaired immediately to their respective
commands. General Nixon's being the eldest brigade, crossed
the Saratoga creek first. Unknown to the Americans, Burgoyne
had a line formed behind a parcel of brush-wood, to support
the park of artillery where the attack was to be made.
General Glover was upon the point of following Nixon. Just
as he entered the water, he saw a British soldier making
across, whom he called and examined." This soldier was a
deserter, and communicated the very important fact that the
whole British army were in their encampment. Nixon was
immediately stopped: and the intelligence conveyed to Gates,
who countermanded his orders for the assault, and called
back his troops, not without sustaining some loss from the
British artillery.

Gordon is confirmed by General Wilkinson, who was adjutant
general in the American army. The narrative of the general
varies from that of Gordon only in minor circumstances.]

A council of general officers called to deliberate on their situation,
took the bold resolution to abandon every thing but their arms and
such provisions as the soldiers could carry; and, by a forced march in
the night up the river, to extricate themselves from the American
army; and crossing at fort Edward, or at a ford above it, to press on
to fort George.

Gates had foreseen this movement, and had prepared for it. In addition
to placing strong guards at the fords of the Hudson, he had formed an
intrenched camp on the high grounds between fort Edward and fort
George. The scouts sent to examine the route returned with this
information, and the plan was abandoned as impracticable.

Nothing could be more hopeless than the condition of the British army,
or more desperate than that of their general, as described