This Day in History: September 19

When Major General Burgoyne and his men reached Albany in September, they found the city protected by 7,000 Patriots under Major General Horatio Gates. Because the Patriots had used the land to their advantage, they decided to sit and let the British make their move. There were some minor assaults, but finally on September 19, 1777, Major General Burgoyne and his troops attacked the Patriots at Freeman's Farm. The Patriots were reinforced by Major General Benedict Arnold's troops, but could not hold off the British. [More]