The Surrender of General Burgoyne, by John Trumbell (c. 1786)
Burgoyne was trapped in the wilderness, with no hope of relief from New York, supplies dwindling, and winter ahead. He sued for a treaty and surrendered on October 17th, 1777.
Trumbell's painting depicts Burgoyne and Gates as the central figures. Others shown are American officers: Col. John Stark (of Bennington fame), Col. Daniel Morgan, and Major General Philip Schuyler and Hessian officer: General Baron von Riedesel. Arnold is not shown, presumably because he was recovering in a hospital in Albany on that day.
The Campaign of 1777 was the decisive year for the American Revolution because the victory at Saratoga ended the threat from Canada, raised morale of the army and the pro-independence citizenry, and secured the critical alliance with France. For General Washington, the campaign was once again marked by defeats (at Brandywine and Germantown ), the capture of Philadelphia by the British, and retreat to Valley Forge. Some in Congress and the army began to doubt Washington's ability as Commander in Chief, but he overcame these adversities and led the army to eventual victory at Yorktown , Virginia four long years later.
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