Gen1 Gates was now appointed to take the Command and Gen1s Schyler and St Cleair were to retire.

Gen1 Arnold, with a train of Artillery was Sent by Gen1 Washington to Renforce the Army at Saratoga he arived there before Gen1 Gates . . . and on his arival he drew the army to Sill Water augt 2th a Centiral place between that and and the mouth of the mohawk river where it falls in to the N. River. by this Situation he expected to Check the progress of Col° St Ledger Who was now advancen upon the Mohak River. The American Army was daly increafing by the Militia, Who generaly turnd out on aCount of the outrages of the Indinens.

In the mean time Gen1 Burgoyn in the Neighbourhood of fort Edward, began to experance their diffculties, which Still Increased as he advanced forward, from the 30th of July till the 15th of Auguft. the Army was daly Employed and every pofsiable measure used for bringing forward Batteaux, provifion, Amminiton &C. from fort George, to the first navigable part of the N. River, in which passege they had a land passage of 16 miles. this was attended with So much dificulty that after the utmost of exertions for 15 days there was not above 4 days [27] provision in Store, and but ten Battuex in at the time Gen1 Burgoyn Received intelangance that Colo St Ledger had arived before and was Conducting his opperations against fort Stanwiks on the head of the mohak River, which is about 150 miles from Albany at Such a time he Saw it of the umoft Confiquence for to make a Raped advance forward, but the want of provision, and the dificulty of keeping open a Communication with fort George from where he had for to bring it when he was further advanced maid him think of giting Suplyes from Some other place. he was Informed that the Americanes had large Store of provision Catle &C at Benington which lies between the forks of the Hofick river and not 20 miles Distant from the N. River he acordingly laid a Scheme to Suprife the place and git the provision and Intrusted the expidition of it to German Lt Colo Baum. the force he took with him was 500 men and 2 peces of artillery. the whole army moved up the E. Shor of the N. River and Encamped nearly opfite to Saratoga, at the Same time throing a Bridge of Rafts acroft the River for the Detchment for to Crows over.

August 15 the American army left Still water and Retreeted to Van Scoiks Island. Gen1 Burgoyne Detached Colo Breymans Corps Consisting of the Brumfwik germands light Infintry an Chafsurs, who were pofted at battens hill, [28] in order if nefsary to Support Baum.

But Buam was So long on his march that the Militia got fool infermation of his Design, and assembled So Strong, that he being Informed of their Strength took post near Santocke [Van Scoik's] mills, about 4 miles from benington and dispached an Express to the Gen1 of his Situation Col° Brayman was ordered forward to Renforce him but the badness of the Rodes, Rendred much worse by the fall of a Rain, the weakning and living of his horses, Detaned him So that he from 8 in the morning of the 15th day Auguft untill 4 in the afternoon of the next day before he Reached the place about 24 miles, and then was too late.

Gen1 Stark who Commanded the Militia Benington Determined not to wait for the Junction of the two partyes. on the 16 he marched to atack Baum, where he was intrenched on Walloin [Walloomscoick] Creek, near the Mills on his approch,

the provinchels that were with Baum, were overjoyed and informed their Colo that a great number of Loylift were Coming armed to joyn him, but they Soon found their mistake. they ware Severly attacked, their entrenchment forced, their Artellry taken most of the Indians and Some of the proventials made their Escape in the woods. the Colo was wounded, and with the Germans, and many more maid prisoners. Colo Brayman who it Seems had Recevided no inteligance of this action arived on the Same ground [29] about 4 oClock in the after noon, and was Immeaditaly Attacked on all Sides he maid a good Defence, but was obliged at last to give way and maik his Retreet as well as he Could which he Effected by the help of the night, but not with [out] loss of men and two peces of Artillry

The British annual Regefter Says their lofs in these two actions was 5 or 600 men most part prifoners. Some other acounts Say much more.1

-

Col St Ledger had ben Some time Intrenched before fort Stanwax an upon hearing Gen1 Harkimore at the head of 8 or 900 troops of the Tryon County Militia, was marching with a Convoy of provifion for the Relif of the fort, he Detached Sir John Johnston with Some Regulars and the Savages to lie in Ambush in the woods and to intersept them in their march and what Seems unacountable the Gen1 it is Said in a place where he might have expected danger with out any flanking partys, blindly plunged him Self in to the trap.

Auguft 6 they were Sudently and Sevearly attacked by the British and Indians, and throen into the greatest Disorder their loos kild about 400 and about 200 prifoners who were afterwards Crully murdred by the Indins, who were much Enraged at the loos they had met with in this action. they had about 30 of their wareres killed and as many wounded. the British had many kild and wounded. [30] a nther Says the Gen1 had not above 400 men with him, that he had timly warning of the attack and that he maid So good a Defence that the lofs of the British exceeded the lofs he Suftanied.

on the Same day and it is Said in time of the action, the garrfion having intelegence of the aproch of their friends, indevered to make a deverfion in their faivour.

Colo Willet the Seond in Command made a Sally out, and did much misheff in the British Camp brought of Some Articales much wanted & Some prifoners and Returned with little or no lofs.

Afterwards he with one more officer pofted through the Enemyes Camp, and maid their way 50 miles, through a pathaless wildernefs in order to Raise the Country, and bring Relief to the fort.

Col St Ledger found the fort Stronger and better Defended then he expected. he Sparied no paines in Summining it promifing good quarters on Surendery, and thretning if they did not, if he Stormed it they Should Evry man be put to the Sword. and farther that Every woman and Child on the mohak River would be put to death by the Indines. but the Comm. Colo Gansseworth ansered that he had ben Intrusted with the Command of the fort by the United States of America, and that he was Determined to Defend it to the last extreamity. [31] the Indians began now to be very stubbern and Discontented, and as they heared Gen1 Arnold was on his march for the relief of the fort, they Determined for to leve the Camp. the Colo for 1 There were 930 British killed, wounded, and prisoners; 100 Americans killed, 100 wounded.

to Content them Called a Counsel but a part of them decamped, while the Counsel was Sitting. a Spedy Retreet was now thought the only way to Save them Selves. accordingly the 22th day of August, they Raised the Seige, and Left the Camp in Such confufion that the tents with most of the Stores and Artillery fell into the hands of the Enemy Garrafon

the Indines behaved in Such a manner that by the Colos own acount it apperaed he wa as fraid of their Ravages as of the Americanes — it is Said they plundred all the officers and Solders they Could on the Retreet, and that a few miles from the Camp, they murdred and Striped many British Germans and Provenshals Solders who were not able to keep up with the main body, and while they behaved thus to the army their proffed friends the Distress of the Inhabitance that fell in their way Can

mot be Described.

Gen Arnold had ben Detached with 2000 men for the Relif of the fort and on the 24th two days after the Seige had ben Raised, arived with 900 men whith which he had maid a force march, and if they had Staied till that time it is likely he would not have handled them very tenderly.

Gen1 Burgoyne was at Still warter on the E. Side of the N River and with all his Industry in bringing [32] Stores from fort George he had now only about 30 day provifion in Camp and other Stores - he now Refolved to Crows the N River with his army, which he did about the midle of September, and Encamped on the heights in the plains of Saratoga on the 9th Gen1 Gates had advanced his army from Van Skoiks Ifland to Still water and on the 12th took porfesion of Bemans hights 3 miles above Still water.

Sept 19. on the 19th Gen Burgoyn marched down in front of the American line, and put himself at the head of the British line on the Right, which wing was Covered by Gen1 Frazer and Colo Brayman, with the granidears & light Infinterys of the army, and kept along Some heights, and were Covered by the Indins Provencals & Canadones in the front and flanks the left wing and Artillary under Major gen's Phillips & Readhefel kept along the great Road and medows by the River Side.

The Americanes quckly took the allarem but not knowing the position of the British they Indevred to turn the Right wing, and take the line on the flank. But bing Difopinted Gen1 Arnold bent his force on the left of the Same wing a moft furious attack. the British was much Suprifed at this moft Daring attempt. however they Suftanied it from 3 0Clock [33] in the afternoon till Sunset but if Gen1 Phillips and Readhefel and part of the left wing had not Came to their Relife they muftt have suffered very much if not ben all taken. after they ware Supported from the left the action Continued untill dark, and the Americans Retreted to their Camp.

Many were kild and wounded on boath Sides and litle advantage gained on either only only it Intirely difopinted the Indianes, whofe zeal began now to Slacken as the methord of fiting was no way Suted to their disposition accordingly most of them Shortly left the Camp. a great desertion also prevaled amongst the Candans and British proventials, and the British army were Convinced they had now to grapple with an army that Culd fight without being under the Cover of walls fences. hedges, &C

About this time Gen1 Burgoyne Received Intelagnce from Gen1 Clinton at N. York, of his Intention of Coming up the N. River to atack fort Montgomery, and Some other fortifications on the river. this was not all the asistance Gen1 Burgoyne had Expected. that at left it would have the Effect for to Divide Gen1 Gates army, which was now too powerfull for him. he Immeaditly Sent off Difpaches to Gen1 Clinton to let him know his Sutiation, Informing of [34] him he would indever for to hold his present Ground at left untill the 12th of october Prefing him to put his Define in Exicution Emeaditly and to give him all the assistance in his power. he Entrenched and fortified him Self acordingly and kept a Close watch on gen1 Gates whofe army was Still Increafing

But in this Situation he Received the Distressing Intelagence of a Division of the Militia of N. Hampshire and the head of Connecut [Connecticut] to Cut of his Communication from Canada, by Recovring the forts of Ticondroga and Mount Independance, and of becoming mafters at least of St George

The Expidition was under the Derection of Gen1 Lincoln, who had ben Sent by Gen Gates for that Define, and the Immediate Exicution of of it was Commited to Colo Brown Jonfton and Woodbridge. they Conducted the Expidition with Such Secrefy & adrefs, that September the 17th they Effuctly Suprised all the out post between the landing place of lake george and the body of the fortrefes of Ticondroga Mount Defience and Mount hoop. the french lines and a Block house with 200 Battuex one armed Sloop and Several Gun Bots were almost Inftantly taken [35] fore [four] Companys of foot with nearly as many Canadanes, and many of the officers and Crews of Versels were maid prisoners, at the Same time Giving Relif to many Americanes prisoners who were Confined in those works. They then took the Cannon out of the armed Vefsels they had taken, and burnt and Destroyed what they Could not Cary off and Returned back to Shensborow. In the begining of October Gen Burgoyne thought proper for to lefsen the Solders Rations wating with great Impatiance to hear from Gen1 Clinton, who had taken fort Montgomery on the 6th of this month, and had Sent of Dispatches to Gen1 Burgoyne: but it doth not appear that any of them Reached him intime on the 8th he had Sent a Mefsege by one Tayler who had ben with him at fort Montgomery he was pileted by on Van blake an Inhabitant of Dutches County, and on their way they fell in with Some American troops, at New Winfer who ware Cloathd in British Uneform, and Suppofing them to be British, Expressed their Suprise to See them there Soo Soon, and afked which way they Could Come to be there as Soon or before them as they had left [36] them at fort Montgomery. they ware immeaditly Sufpected. they Enquired if Gen1 Clinton was there and upon being told he was they Defired to See him they ware Condutced to govener Clinton on which they Difcovred their mistake and defired to withdraw but they ware Clofley Examined during which time Tayler was obferved by the Sergt that attended to hold his hankerchif to his mouth and to Swolow Sonthing. the govener being Informed of it ordered Docter Highbe to give him a Dose of tartre maick, which done he vometed up a Small Silver ball about the beignes of a Robens Egg.1 it was Examined and found to open with a Screw and

1 This silver ball is on exhibition at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, on the first floor of the southern

Contanied a Short letter from Gen1 Clinton to Gen1 Burgoyne. Informing him of his progress So far, but that it was out of his power to advance to his Relife, and advifing him to the best he Could. Tayler, who was Stobern and would not give the least intelegence but dared them to hang him: was acordingly hanged but Van blake who maid a full Confefion was Repreved.

Gen Burgoyne had wated with full hopes of being Supported by Gen1 Clinton, but as the times [37] alloted for his Comming was amoft out, and no intalagence from him arived he was Detarmined to atack the american line

oct 7. the 7th of october a Detachment of 1500 Regular troops, with two twelve pounders, and 6 Six pounders, were ordered to move Commanded by the Gen1 in perfon, who was Seconed by Gen1 Phillips Readhefl and Frazer. the guard of the Camp on the high grounds was Commited to Gen1 Hambelton and Speiht, that of the Redouts and the plane near the River to Brig Gen1 Goll. —

The British formed with in three quarters of of a Mile of the Americans left, at the Same time Pufhing on the on the irregular through bye ways to be a Check upon their Rear.

But this movement was timley discovered by Gen1 Gates, who with his Army was too atentive to their duty to Suffer them Selves to be Suprised Gen1 Gates did not wait not wait to be atacked, but ordered out a Detachment who maid a Sudant and Rapped atack on Maj Ackland who Commanded the British Granedears and was Posted to Support the left wing of the line, and I Extended the atack along the whole front of the Germands who were pofted on the Right of the granidears that it become [38] become Impractibal with them to forme a second line to Suport the flank, which they had intended at the Same time he Detached a Strong body Round the flank of the Enemys Right in order to Cut of their Retreet to their Camp on which the British light Infintry and 24th Regt were throne into a Second line to oppofe that attempt and to Cover the Retreet of the troop into Camp. — but at the Same time Gen1 Gates Sent a Strong party to deside the action on the Enemys left, and forced them to give way. on which the lite Infintry and 24 Regt were obliged to alter their Movements in order to keep this wing from being Entierly Cut off. at this time Gen1 frazer was mortilly wounded. Gen's Phillips & Readhefel were ordered to Cover the Retreet. they ware hard and Clofly prefed into their lines. they lost 6 peaces of Cannon, and most of the atillary men, and horses belonging to them were Either killed or wounded

The British had juft Entred their Camp, when their lines were Stormed in Different parts Gen1 Arnold led on the attack, with his ufal bravery, but in the Criticale moment of glory and danger, he was dangerously wounded, Just as he was got within the lines. this gave [39] Check to the attempt in that place, which after Some more Efforts was given up. But in another quarter Colo Brayman who Commanded wing. I saw it there February 21, 1901. A curious corroboration of this story appeared in the New York Sun of August 18, 1901, from Chester, N. Y.

While constructing a railroad at Hurley's, N. Y., the laborers, on August 17, 1901, dug under an old tree known- no one remembered why as the Spy tree. In their excavations they dug up a man's skeleton, and at once the title became clear, — some spy had been hung on its branches and the body buried as usual at its foot. Researches showed that the remains must have been those of this same British lieutenant, Daniel Taylor, above mentioned, who was captured October 16, 1777, tried by court-martial, and hung here October 18.