DESCENDANTS OF BATTLES OF SARATOGA SOLDIERS SOUGHT
The Victory at Saratoga committee is seeking the names and addresses of
living descendants of soldiers who fought at the Battles of Saratoga in
September and October of 1777. These individuals will lead the citizens
surrender march from the Saratoga monument to Fort Hardy Park on
Saturday, October 19, in commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the
battles of Saratoga.

Please send names, addresses and phone numbers to
Pat Peck                        518-584-4129
178 Wagman’s Ridge              <[log in to unmask]>
Saratoga Springs NY 12866
Channel 13 news anchor Ed Dague will emcee the program at Fort Hardy
Park, which is a recreation of the famous “Surrender of General Burgoyne”
painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capital.
Members of the Schuylerville community will portray the depicted American
and British officers. The living tableau harkens back to earlier
surrender commemorations of 1877 and 1927. A patriotic fireworks display
will conclude the 225th anniversary celebration.

On October 17, 1777, the British General Burgoyne surrendered to the
American General Gates in Schuylerville. Over 6,000 British and German
soldiers marched out of the camps located through out the village to Fort
Hardy where they stacked their guns. The surrendering troops were then
marched through the American Lines and past the 20,000 patriot soldiers
amassed after the two Battles of Saratoga. This was the first time that a
British Army had surrendered in over 200 years and was the first
large-scale victory for the Americans in the Revolution. This “Turning
Point” proved to the French that the Americans could fight. Within
months, the French came to our aid with badly needed supplies and
weapons, troops and the French Navy.

For a list of activities during the next month visit the 225th
Anniversary of the Surrender of Burgoyne Visitors Center & Exhibition
Hall in Olympian Hall, 76 Broad Street, Schuylerville which is open
Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., go to the web page
www.victoryatsaratoga.com, or call 695-6776.