aid of mercenaries. The King of Prussia and the Empress of Austria now
refused to permit any more German soldiers to go to America. In the
threatening condition of affairs at home, England could not spare
another army for so distant a field. Whichever way England looked, she
saw either open enemies or half friends. Everywhere the sky was dark for
her, and bright for us.

At home the surrender of Burgoyne thrilled the whole land, for all felt
it to be the harbinger of final triumph. The people went wild with joy;
salvos of artillery, toasts, bonfires, illuminations, everywhere
testified to the general exultation. The name of France was hailed with
acclamations. At once a sense of national dignity and solidity took the
place of uncertainty and isolation. Now and henceforth, the flag of the
United States was known and respected; abroad as at home, on the sea as
on the land.

Burgoyne's disaster has been charged to the grossest carelessness on the
part of some under official of the British War Office. It is said that
the orders for Sir William Howe were never put in the despatch bag at
all, but lay forgotten until the catastrophe at Saratoga brought them to
light. On such trifles does the fate of nations sometimes hang.
Certainly, greater unity of purpose in the two generals might have given
the history of the campaign a different reading. But all such
conjectures must fall before the inexorable logic of accomplished
results. The world has long since passed upon the merits of the great
conflict which set America free. Its verdict is recorded. The actors are
but as dust in the balance.

INDEX.

ALLEN, ETHAN, takes Ticonderoga, 17;
goes before Montgomery, 19.

ARNOLD, BENEDICT, marches to Canada, 19;
takes command of our flotilla, and fights the enemy, 22; 25, _note_;
sent to relieve Fort Stanwix, and does it by a stratagem, 92;
part at Bemis' Heights, 112;
storms the enemy's intrenchments, 121, 122;
wounded, 122.

BATTEN-KILL, British take post at, 70, 87.

BAUM, FREDERIC, commands British expedition to Bennington, and
marches, 70;
composition of his force, 70;
hears the Americans are waiting for him, 75;
notifies Burgoyne, and goes on, 75;
discovers Stark, and intrenches himself on the Walloomsac, 78, 81;
defeated, 83, 132.

BENNINGTON, VT.; Burgoyne's plan to seize stores at, 68;
Baum marches for, 72;
Battle of Bennington, 83, 84,