Battle of Saratoga

Meanwhile, John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne, convinced the London high command to allow him to to lead an army down a route of lakes from Canada to Albany. *There he would meet Howe’s troops as they arrived from New York City. According to Burgoyne’s plan, the two generals would then join forces to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. *His food supplies ran low. *The Continental Congress had appointed General Horatio Gates to command the Northern Department of the Continental army. *Gates gathered militiamen and soldiers from all over New York and New England. *Burgoyne lost several hundred men every time his forces clashed with the Americans *Even worse, Burgoyne didn’t realize that Howe was preoccupied with conquering and occupying Philadelphia and wasn’t coming to meet him.