Burgoyne's Campaign of 1777: The Early Stages, September 20, 2013

Burgoyne's Campaign of 1777: The Early Stages September 20, 2013 Led by Douglas R. Cubbison Ticonderoga, NY Tour Registration Fee: $125.00 America’s History is proud to announce a new partnership with the Fort Ticonderoga Association whereby we’ll offer a one-day tour of the early stages of British Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne’s campaign of 1777. Led by noted author and historian, Doug Cubbison, we will visit many sites important to this campaign including Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, Burgoyne’s lines around Fort Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Hubbardton battlefield and Skenesborough Harbor (present-day Whitehall.) During the summer and fall of 1777 one of the great military campaigns of world history was fought in the dense forests and rolling fields of upstate New York and Vermont. John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne led a combined force of some 9,000 British Redcoats, German hirelings, vengeful Tories and blood-thirsty Indians. This army descended from Canada, aiming to cut off the American middle colonies from their New England neighbors. Burgoyne’s invasion was part of a three-pronged strategic plan to break the back of the rebellion. His army marched directly south through a near-impenetrable wilderness, attempting to reach its final objective: Albany. But American fortunes changed decisively on the west bank of the Hudson River near Saratoga. The surrender of Burgoyne’s army in October 1777 was more important to the Patriot cause than any other event during the American Revolution; this “turning point” arguably led to Yorktown four years later. This America’s History tour will pick up Burgoyne’s invasion as his army arrives at Fort Ticonderoga, a great fortress overlooking Lake Champlain. We will start our tour atop Mount Defiance, getting a bird’s eye view of the Fort and Mount Independence, just as the British did. Outside the Fort we will visit Mount Hope and Burgoyne’s landing areas. We will walk the pristine battlefield at Hubbardton, where Americans courageously fought an unsuccessful rearguard action after they evacuated Fort Ticonderoga. We will also follow Burgoyne’s pursuit of the Americans who retreated to Skenesborough (now Whitehall, N.Y.) where the Patriots were soundly trounced by the oncoming Redcoats. We will return to Fort Ticonderoga in plenty of time for you to attend the opening session of Fort Ticonderoga’s American Revolution Seminar. What’s included: Motor coach transportation, lunch, snack and beverage breaks, all admissions and gratuities, a map and materials package and the services of a professional historian selected for his knowledge and expertise. Our Tour Leaders: Douglas R. Cubbison is the author of three Revolutionary War books, including: Burgoyne and the Saratoga Campaign: His Papers, “The Artillery never gained more Honour”: The British Artillery in the 1776 Valcour Island and 1777 Saratoga Campaigns and The American Northern Theater Army in 1776: The Ruin and Reconstruction of the Continental Force and numerous articles on the Revolutionary War. He is a U.S. Army veteran and former historian with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He is a popular speaker at Fort Ticonderoga’s War College and Seminar on the American Revolution and an experienced leader of staff rides. Dr. Bruce M. Venter, president of America’s History, LLC is an experienced tour leader of the Colonial and Revolutionary War period. His article, “Behind Enemy Lines: Americans Attack Burgoyne’s Supply Line” appeared in the May/June issue of Patriots of the American Revolution magazine. Other important information: This tour is limited to one bus, so please register early. A minimum of 20 participants is needed to run the tour. This is a walking and field tour so wear comfortable shoes. The bus will leave the main parking lot of Fort Ticonderoga at 8 AM and return by 5 PM. Further information and online registration available soon. Register by phone: Toll-free: 1-855-OUR-HISTORY (687-4478)