The Battle of Saratoga was in all likelihood the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. One misconception about this battle is that it was actually two battles right next to each other. These battles could have very easily been a glorious British victory, but the colonists outsmarted them, leading to a remarkable colonial victory. Without a doubt, these battles were the turning point in the war. There are two points of the importance of the American victory: first, it was the greatest victory for the Americans in the war, and second, France will enter the war on the colonist"s side.

             It all started with a very good British plan. The British General "Gentleman" Johnny Burgoyne proposed a plan to attack the northern colonies and cut them off from the others. Burgoyne was to lead a force coming from Montreal, Canada to Upstate New York, where he would meet up with forces from Barry St. Leger, coming from the west, and General Cornwallis coming from the south. They would then surround the colonists and claim victory. However, as the old saying goes, "The best laid plans of mice and men most often go astray.".

             In June, 1777, General Burgoyne set out from Montreal, on his way to Upstate New York, with an army of close to 7,000 British soldiers, German mercenaries (also known as Hessians), Loyalists, and Indians. Burgoyne"s force proceeded down Lake Champlain and recaptured Fort Ticonderoga on July 5, 1777. After this, he then led his troops towards Albany, where he was supposed to meet up with the other two British forces.

             This well planned out meeting never took place. The British force led by General St. Leger never made it to Albany because they were held back by a force of colonial militiamen. They were stuck fighting the American army when they should have been in Albany. The other British force, led by General Cornwallis, was also drawn away from Albany.