The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

1972 THE WAR FOR INDEPEDENCE 351the fortitude of some five thousandof his men, had undone everythingHowe accomplished, recoveredthe J ersies, and saved theAmerican cause."7British Occupy PhiladelphiaIn 1777, the British launchedtheir great offensive aimed at dividingAmerica and destroying thePatriot ability to resist. At thebeginning of the year, the massiveforce of British arms was centeredin New York City. Anotherlarge army was in Canada. It wasplaced under the tactical commandof General John Burgoyne. GeneralHowe conceived initially ofthe grand strategy of attackingnorth from New York to make ajunction with an attacking forcefrom Canada. Such a victory alongthe line of Lake Champlain, LakeGeorge, and the Hudson could havecut off New England from the restof the states. However, Howechanged his mind, decided to attackPhiladelphia instead, and putto sea with that destination inmind. He did leave behind anarmy, of sorts, under Sir HenryClinton, but it was insufficient toperform both its tasks of occupationand conducting a major offensivecampaign.For a good portion of the summer,Howe's destination was amystery to Washington. The fleetwas delayed first by an extendedcalm and then by contrary winds.Upon hearing that the fleet hadbeen sighted to the south, Washingtontook the main body of hisarmy to the vicinity of PhiJadelphia,leaving Burgoyne to themercy of the New England militia,as he said. Washington tried toblock Howe's advance with a smallerarmy at Brandywine Creek inearly September, but was defeatedand driven off. Howe moved on tothe occupation of Philadelphia,which Congress had lately abandonedin haste. Washington's. attackearly in October on the mainBritish force at Germantownfailed to dislodge it. He withdrewhis army to Valley Forge afterthis defeat.Burgoyne's SurrenderBurgoyne had about 8,000 menat his disposal, including Loyalistsand .Indians. A detachment underBaron St. Leger was dispatchedthrough the Mohawk valley fromOswego. toward Albany. This detachmentwas dispersed by troopsunder Benedict Arnold. Burgoyneproceeded southward at a leisurelypace, one not entirely of his ownchoosing, since his path was frequentlyblocked by trees newlyfelled by Patriots. Meanwhile, militiabegan to assemble around acore of Continentals whose taskwas to stop Burgoyne. Eventually,so many militia had gathered to