Checkmate On The Hudson (1975)

They used to call it Hudson's River. Over the years, the name has changed slightly. But, the function, the importance of the river is the same as it always has been. The river forms an important link in America's transportation network. The roads that line its shores are part of that system, an important system today. And, at one stage of America's history, it was crucial. Control of the Hudson spelled the difference between defeat or victory, subjugation or freedom. We all know that from having read the history books. But, the people who lived along the river then knew it because they lived it. The river, for those of us who know it and love it well, it affords countless myriads of beautiful scenes and vexatious memories. The scenes are repeated at onset of each day as the sun ascends above the trees, dissipating the mists. And, the memories, like commerce upon the river, they move to and fro, appearing, disappearing. The memories are those of William McCarty of Saratoga, farmer, wheelwright, witness to a turning point in history. I have lived in this region for quite some years, developing my livelihood from farming. I tend part of the land owned by a worthy gentleman named Schuyler, General Philip Schuyler. He possesses great wealth. I, however, am neither wealthy nor impoverished. I have attempted to provide a life of modest comfort for my family. It was a simple life, simple, yet pleasant. A warm fire, a gathering place for loved ones, and a bountiful table. However, events of the struggle for independence overcame us and robbed us of our peace, our comfort. Even before the soldiers came, these peaceful scenes were fading. Among those of us who lived here in the area, there was tension and conflict, divided loyalties. John Freeman maintained a farm just south of Saratoga. John was a loyalist. He supported the crown. But, John Neilson, who lived close by, was a true patriot. William McCarty remembers only too well. As a local who knew the area, he was swept up in the tension and conflict. Working with a team of horses in a wagon, he gathered and delivered supplies to the rebel forces, casting his lot with those who chose to stand and fight. The struggle he speaks of was concentrated in what is now New York State, and the Hudson River became the focal point for action. The region became a giant chessboard, a playing field on which opposing forces moved and fought and died. Many of the place names are still on modern maps. New York City, occupied by the British, a major stronghold in North America. To the north, a countryside teeming with divided loyalties, sympathizers for the rebels, supporters of the crown, and those who changed allegiance as the wind blew or as the money came. Montreal became the starting point for a British move south. The strategy, open communications with New York, make another army available to General William Howe. The stage was set, the characters in place. General John Burgoyne, leading the British, urbane, sophisticated. His nickname was Gentleman Johnny. For the Americans, General Horatio Gates, they called him Granny Gates. There were others in the background. General Schuyler, originally the American commander, but replaced with Gates in a contest of politics and personalities. Colonel Daniel Morgan and his riflemen, sent to counteract the Indians traveling with the British. Benedict Arnold, destined to make history elsewhere before the war was over. The stage was set, the spot pinpointed. General Burgoyne was obliged to reach Albany before the snows of winter. He was victorious in early engagements, but as he moved south, great hardships were imposed on his system of supplies. Nonetheless, he pressed on toward Albany where he expected to place his army under the command of General Howe. September 13, 1777. Burgoyne and his men crossed over to the west bank of the Hudson, just above Old Saratoga. The Americans were waiting for them up by Bemis Heights, concentrated behind massive and formidable new fortifications. Massive, indeed. General Burgoyne quickly deduced that his army's easy route down the river was blocked. But, he also quickly resolved to dislodge the Americans. He decided on a three-column movement. The right column was headed by General Fraser and would move on the American positions. Lieutenant Robert Jameson, 24th Regiment of Foot, marching with Fraser's column. Our group would make the difficult move inland and then head toward the west. The center column was headed by General Hamilton. General Burgoyne rode with this column, composed mainly of all British forces with some Germans dropped in. The Germans were mainly with the left column, close by the river. They were commanded by Baron von Riedesel. It was shortly after 10:00 in the morning, September the 19th. General Gates learned of the British movement and ordered Colonel Morgan's riflemen, along with some light infantry, to make the initial probe. Morgan's men found the advance guard of Hamilton's middle column in a clearing of Freeman's farm, John Freeman's farm, now deserted. Fierce fighting developed. The riflemen pursued the survivors and ran up against the main body of Hamilton's division. What started as an encounter of scouts grew into a major battle. The British succeeded in driving Morgan's men back into the woods, but not for long. They rallied, were joined by others, and rejoined the fighting. Another group was dispatched to hold down the British right column under Fraser. Those Americans were swift, and I must say rather courageous. But, we were better disciplined and much better equipped for the bayonet charge. The battle surged and eddied, seesawed across the rough stubble of the Freeman farm. By late afternoon, the British line began to bend, and the Americans surged forward. Then, units of Burgoyne's left column, the Germans, moved onto the field. They brought with them more artillery. The line strengthened, and the Americans began to fall back. Finally, dusk. The Americans withdrew from the field and moved back about 2 miles from the British line. They moved back to Bemis Heights, leaving Burgoyne to hold the field of battle, the tactical advantage. But, Gates had the strategic hand. He still blocked the route to Albany. William McCarty remembers the period after the battle. It was a grim, melancholy time. Both sides maintained their distance and separation, awaiting the next move. The wounded, the dead, it was not a pleasant scene. The burials, I must admit, did not follow civilized customs. Huge burial trenches were used. And the British, consistent in their regard for the rank of class and privilege, used separate trenches, one for officers, another for enlisted men. In the night, there were frightful noises. Wolves roaming the battlefields, picking at the remains of those not buried. They were similar to a pack of hounds. For one setting up a cry, they all joined. And when they approached a corpse, their noise was hideous till they had scratched it up. At John Neilson's house, now used by American officers, they worked into the night, studying maps and battle plans, discussing strategy. Tensions ran high. A simmering dispute between Gates and Arnold erupted, and Arnold was relieved of his command. Late into the night, they checked their lists of dwindling supplies and their lists of increasing forces. By this time, the American strength had grown to more than 13,000. Burgoyne's forces dwindled down to about 6,000, but he never gave up hope that help might be on the way. It never arrived. October 7th, west of the Freeman farm, near Barber's wheat field, the morning came up misty. The giant trees, which lined the boundary, stood tall and silent. The road, the rutted road which ran across the wheat field, lay empty and quiet. But the stillness, the quiet was deceptive, ominous. Burgoyne, desperate for a way out, decided to send out a probing force, more than 1,700 men. If the results were promising, he would attack the next day. If not, he would consider retreat. In the classic style of 18th century military movement, they marched toward the American left, testing positions, strengths. Our scouts, being ever watchful, noticed the movement and reported it to General Gates. Said one officer, "I think, sir, they offer you battle." And Gates replied, "Order out Morgan to begin the game." Colonel Morgan's men struck the British right, Fraser's men, and they began falling back from the fire. At the same time, Poor's brigade attacked the British grenadiers on the left. Burgoyne was close by. He saw the action and ordered his men off the field. Some of them never got the word, so the fighting continued. Learned's brigade, strengthened with militia men, struck the German flank. In the middle of the attack, General Arnold rode onto the field and led a second assault. The thrust caused the Germans in the British center to join the general fall back. The Americans now controlled the battlefield, but that was not enough. Arnold seized the opportunity. He joined Poor's men and pursued the retreating forces. They slammed through the woods, wound up in open ground in front of Balcarres redoubt. The redoubt was heavily manned. The action was brisk, but it held firm. The Americans rushed past it onto other British positions, the Breyman redoubt, manned mostly by Canadians and Germans. The Canadians were soon driven from their post, exposing the left and rear. An all-out attack was mounted from the front and the rear. Arnold saw the action, abandoned Poor's men, and joined some riflemen entering into the rear. With a combined action, the Americans gained possession of the Breyman redoubt. In effect, it was all over. The guns fell silent. Burgoyne pulled back to his fortified camp at the Great Redoubt. For the British, the dreams were buried along with the men, along with Burgoyne's trusted aide, General Fraser. Still, there was hope, hope that by biding his time, Burgoyne could make something work. But not at Bemis Heights. He decided to move his forces back to Saratoga. The Americans followed and eventually surrounded him. There was some fighting along the Fishkill, but Burgoyne still would not give up. Give up? The word surrender was repugnant to him. He suggested instead a means for ending the stalemate, a convention, which would permit us to go home free men, if we promised never to return here to fight in this dreadful place. Gates agreed to the terms. They were later repudiated by Congress, and Burgoyne's men were taken prisoner. But no one could know this now when the convention was signed. As the British laid down their arms, Burgoyne and Gates met and dined together under a tent set up in a field. General Gates toasted the king. Burgoyne drank to the health of General Washington. The news spread quickly, told by church bells throughout the colonies. And in Europe, the king of France was persuaded to join openly on our side, a move which assured us ultimate victory. The end of our struggle was a long ways off. We knew that. We also knew that Saratoga was a turning point in the war. But for now, here in this land, there was reason enough to celebrate. Mhm.