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Burgoyne pushed forward some bodies of irregular troops to distract the enemy's attention, and led his
column to within three quarters of a mile from the left of Gates's camp, and then deployed his men into line.
The Grenadiers under Major Ackland were drawn up on the left, a corps of Germans in the center, and the
English Light Infantry and the 24th regiment on the right. But Gates did not wait to be attacked; and directly the British line was formed and
began to advance, the American general, with admirable skill, caused a strong force to make a sudden and vehement rash against its
left.
The Grenadiers under Ackland sustained the charge of superior numbers nobly. But Gates sent more
Americans forward, and in a few minutes the action became general along the center, so as to prevent the Germans from sending any help to the
Grenadiers. Burgoyne's right was not yet engaged; but a mass of the enemy were observed advancing from their extreme left, with the evident
intention of turning the British right, and cutting off its retreat.
The Light Infantry and the 24th now fell back, and formed an oblique second line, which enabled them to
baffle this maneuver, and also to succor their comrades in the left wing, the gallant Grenadiers, who were overpowered by superior numbers, and,
but for this aid, must have been cut to pieces.
Arnold now came up with three American regiments, and attacked the right flank of the English double
line. Burgoyne's whole force was soon compelled to retreat toward their camp; the left and center were in complete disorder; but the Light
Infantry and the 24th checked the fury of the assailants, and the remains of Burgoyne's column with great difficulty effected their return to
their camp, leaving six of their guns in the possession of the enemy, and great numbers of killed and wounded on the field; and especially a
forge proportion of the artillery-men, who had stood to their guns until shot down or bayoneted beside them by the advancing
Americans.
Burgoyne's column had been defeated, but the action was not yet over. The English had scarcely entered
the camp, when the Americans, pursuing their success, assaulted it in several places with uncommon fierceness, rushing to the lines through a
severe fire of grape-shot and musketry with the utmost fury.
Arnold especially, who on this day appeared maddened with the thirst of combat and carnage, urged on
the attack against a part of the entrenchments which was occupied by the Light Infantry under Lord Balcarras.
But the English received him with vigor and spirit. The struggle here was obstinate and sanguinary. At
length, as it grew toward evening, Arnold, having forced all obstacles, entered the works with some of the most fearless of his followers. But in
this critical moment of glory and danger he received a painful wound in the same leg which had already been injured at the assault on
Quebec.
To his bitter regret, he was obliged to be carried hack. His party still continued the attack; but the
English also continued their obstinate resistance, and at last night fell, and the assailants withdrew from this quarter of the British
entrenchments. But in another part the attack had been more successful.
A body of the Americans, under Colonel Brooke, forced their way in through a part of the entrenchments
on the extreme right, which was defended by the German reserve under Colonel Breyman. The Germans resisted well, and Bremen died in defense of
his post; but the Americans made good the ground which they had won, and captured baggage, tents, artillery, and a store of ammunition, which
they were greatly in need of.
They had, by establishing themselves on this point, acquired the means of completely turning the right
flank of the British, and gaining their rear.
To prevent this calamity, Burgoyne effected during the night a complete change of position. With great
skill, he removed his whole army to some heights near the river, a little northward of the former camp, and he there drew up his men, expecting
to be attacked on the following day. But Gates was resolved not to risk the certain triumph which ms success had already secured for
him.
He harassed the English with skirmishes, but attempted no regular attack. Meanwhile he detached bodies
of troops on both sides of the Hudson to prevent the British from redressing that river and to bar their retreat.
"When night fell, it became absolutely necessary for Burgoyne to retire again, and, accordingly, the
troops were marched through a stormy and rainy night toward Saratoga, abandoning their sick and wounded, and the greater part of their baggage to
the enemy.
Before the rear guard quitted the camp, the last sad honors were paid to the brave General Frazer, who
had been mortally wounded on the 7th, and expired on the following day. The funeral of this gallant soldier is thus described by the Italian
historian Beta: " Toward midnight the body of General Frazer was buried in the British camp. His brother officers assembled sadly
round.
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