For this report, you'll be imaging you’re a soldier during the battle of Saratoga. You will write a letter describing your experiences. Tell me about your tactics, did you flank, attack with artillery, attack from the sea? (don't make this up, find the actual tactics online). Who lead you into battle, what General was at the war? Who was the opposing general? What was the weather like, the terrain (landscape)? Did you attack at dawn, in the afternoon, at night? What was the outcome, did you win? Did you lose? Was this a turning point in the war? Is this the time period when the American revolutionary force began to win the war against England? it needs to be 250 words long. it is 50 pts.

Winter is fast approaching and the days are getting shorter and colder, rain is unstoppable. However, it seems we have good news from the front and I might be home before fall comes to an end. I can affirm that we have reached a turning point in the revolutionary war.

As you know I am part of Colonel Daniel Morgan's elite rifle corps, under the command of Major General Horatio Gates. In August we got word the opposing General John Burgoyne was going to attack from the North, marching down the Hudson river using a "Divide and Conquer" strategy.

Major General Benedict Arnold decided we should abandon a mostly defensive strategy by blocking a British column marching towards a Loyalist's farm by the name of John Freeman. Their intent was to flank us by the left. It was decided Morgan’s men and Henry Dearborn’s light infantry would be sent for reconnaissance. We headed into the woods, in the early morning. We were ordered to cut trees to slow down the British troops. Our strategy was to hide and attack from the woods. The Patriot and British troops finally met in the clearing of the Freeman Farm before noon. The battle was very heavy, but morale was high and we fought bravely led by General Arnold. Gate's stopped Arnold from sending more troops, conceding the victory to the British. However the damage done was a victory that proved useful in our next encounter.

September went by quickly as we prepared for the next encounter. Gates received information Burgoyne was set to attack the Patriot's left flank. Once again Morgan’s elite rifle corps were sent to to flank the British. We marched through deep ravines and hillocks. The strategy was to launch short attacks from our hidden position in the woods. We were successful, the British could not attack us in the deep woods and had difficulties crossing the brush. At the same time General Benjamin Lincoln and his men were marching to join us.

On October 7, Bemis Heights, south of the town of Saratoga, was witness to the battle that marks the beginning of our victory. British grenadiers opened fire on our troops, We waited for them to get closer and as expected captured them and their artillery. We fought through 10 days of rain and muddy terrain. The sun rarely came out, and my bones hurt from the humidity. On October 17, General Burgoyne retreated, giving us victory. I believe from here on, the revolutionary forces' destiny can only be to win this war.

Love,

Your son