as able to withdraw unhurriedly across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Howe lost an opportunity to destroy the Continental Army and thus to win the war in a single battle (Ferguson, pg 75). This was a major victory for the Continental Army. With the victory at White Plains the morale of the Continental Army was boosted The Battle of Saratoga is considered to be the major turning point of the American Revolution. This battle proved to the world that the fledgling American army was an effective fighting force capable of defeating the highly trained British forces in a major confrontation. As a result of this successful battle, the European powers took interest in the cause of the Americans and began to support them. In the British Campaign of 1777, Major General Burgoyne planned to advance forces to meet in Albany, New York. He led a group of troops, which moved southward along the Hudson River. A second group under General Barry St. Leger would serve as a diversionary attack, moving eastward from Canada along the Mohawk River (Jones, pg 74). General Howe would be expected to direct the third element of the attack. According to the plan, Howe would direct General Henry Clinton to move northward along the Hudson River and link up with Burgoyne in Albany. The goal of this plan was to isolate and destroy the Continental forces of New England. Initially, the British plan appeared to be working. Burgoyne's army continually pushed back the Americans southward along the Hudson River with only minor casualties. In an attempt to slow the British advances, the American General Philip Schuyler detached 1000 men under the command of Major General Benedict Arnold. This force moved west to thwart St. Leger's eastward advance along the Mohawk River. Arnold returned with his detachment after repelling St. Leger in time to serve in the Battle of Saratoga (Boylan, pg 109). The first Battle of Saratoga was at Freeman's Farm. It was an indecisive battle...
