face of the enemy. The mass of the British
army formed, on the 19th, close in front of the American left; the
right wing being commanded by Burgoyne, the left by Generals Philip
and Reidesel, and the front and flanks being covered by Indians and
Canadians. Without waiting to be attacked, General Gates threw out 5000
men to attempt turning the right of the British forces, and to attack
General Burgoyne in his rear. In making this attempt, however, he lost
between five hundred and six hundred men in killed and wounded, besides
several officers; and at night he deemed it prudent to collect all his
forces into and round the star-redoubt. The attack on the British
right had been made by General Arnold, and Burgoyne's loss was scarcely
inferior to that of his enemy. That night the British army lay on their
arms in the field of battle; but as the day dawned, they began to erect
works within cannon-shot of the enemy, with strong redoubts on their
right. The two armies lay in sight of each other, from the 20th of
September till the 7th of October, during which time Burgoyne's troops
had nearly consumed all their provisions. Burgoyne's situation was a
critical one, and no time was lost in giving General Howe information of
it, in the hope that he would either co-operate or cause a diversion
to be made in his favour. Howe had just taken Philadelphia, and being
wholly occupied with Washington, and in destroying the forts and strong
works on the Delaware, could not spare a thought on the matter. Sir
Henry Clinton, however, who had the command of the troops left at
New York, informed Burgoyne that he would, on his own responsibility,
attempt a diversion, by attacking Forts Montgomery and Clinton, on the
lower part of the Hudson. Burgoyne agreed to remain in his position,
therefore, till the 12th of October: but his Indian followers, in
the meantime, disappointed in their hopes of plunder, annoyed at his
endeavours to check their ferocity, and wishing to return, as their
hunting-season had commenced, began to desert from him in great numbers.
Still Burgoyne, hoping that Clinton's diversion would effect his
deliverance from clanger, would not think of retreating. On the other
hand, the Americans were greatly favoured by this delay. Every day
reinforcements arrived from the southern and northern provinces, while
stores and provisions poured into their camp in great abundance. General
Gates, indeed, having been joined by General Lincoln w