ABSTRACT
Unknown to General Sir John Burgoyne, the American camp on the morning following the battle was in turmoil. Burgoyne must have been aware that he had failed in his attempt to shake the Americans, and that time was against him. Upon doubtful prospect of aid from the south, Burgoyne postponed the renewal of the battle. Learning that Fort Ticonderoga was weakly held, Major-General Lincoln, who, following the battle of Bennington, had remained on Burgoyne’s eastern flank, sent three contingents, each 500 strong, commanded by Colonels Woodbridge, Johnson, and John Brown, to attempt to cut Burgoyne’s line of communication from Canada and to destroy his bases. Thus, according to R. Varick’s interpretation of the battle, General Arnold’s aggressiveness had been responsible for engaging the British in the first place; and, if he had not been denied more troops, he would have defeated Burgoyne.
