e Princeton and Trenton campaign, but
it is equally true that the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, in the
following autumn, turned the scale decisively in favor of the colonists
by the impression which it made in Europe. It was the destruction of
Burgoyne's army which determined France to aid the Americans against
England. Hence came the French alliance, the French troops, and, what
was of far more importance, a French fleet by which Washington was
finally able to get control of the sea, and in this way cut off
Cornwallis at Yorktown and bring the Revolution to a successful close.
That which led, however, more directly than anything else to the final
surrender at Saratoga was the fight at Bennington, by which Burgoyne's
army was severely crippled and weakened, and by which also, the hardy
militia of the North eastern States were led to turn out in large
numbers and join the army of Gates.

The English ministry had built great hopes upon Burgoyne's expedition,
and neither expense nor effort had been spared to make it successful. He
was amply furnished with money and supplies as well as with English and
German troops, the latter of whom were bought from their wretched little
princes by the payment of generous subsidies. With an admirably equipped
army of over seven thousand men, and accompanied by a large force of
Indian allies, Burgoyne had started in May, 1777, from Canada. His plan
was to make his way by the lakes to the head waters of the Hudson, and
thence southward along the river to New York, where he was to unite with
Sir William Howe and the main army; in this way cutting the colonies in
two, and separating New England from the rest of the country.

At first all went well. The Americans were pushed back from their posts
on the lakes, and by the end of July Burgoyne was at the head waters of
the Hudson. He had already sent out a force, under St. Leger, to take
possession of the valley of the Mohawk--an expedition which finally
resulted in the defeat of the British by Herkimer, and the capture
of Fort Stanwix. To aid St. Leger by a diversion, and also to capture
certain magazines which were reported to be at Bennington, Burgoyne sent
another expedition to the eastward. This force consisted of about five
hundred and fifty white troops, chiefly Hessians, and one hundred and
fifty Indians, all under the command of Colonel Baum. They were within
four miles of Bennington on August 13, 1777, and encamped on a hill just