Battle of Bemus Heights

Knowing nothing of developments south of Albany and facing desertions, atrition, oncoming cold weather, diminishing food stocks, and increasingly aggressive American skirmishing attacks, Burgoyne met with his top three generals to discuss options. Some thought it best to withdraw north; Burgoyne wanted to attack. But Burgoyne compromised, agreeing to a reconnaissance-in-force to probe the American defenses. If they looked weak enough to attack, Burgoyne would attack with the whole army on October 8. If not, he would wait until October 11 for Clinton’s diversion to manifest before withdrawing north.

The reconnaissance force of over 1,500 troops moved out on October 7 and by early afternoon arrived upon two adjacent wheatfields southwest of their camp. Burgoyne’s troops arrayed in line of battle along the road that cut across both fields and sat down, waiting for foragers to gather wheat, after which they planned to continue south to observe the American camp.

Meanwhile, Gates, Arnold, and other officers were dining at Gates’s headquarters when reports came in that the British were on the move. Arnold went out to reconnoiter the British force while Gates deployed some battalions to hamper further enemy movements. On the left, Arnold directed Morgan’s Corps to an advantageous hilltop position west of the British line while on the right, the New Hampshire troops attacked the British grenadiers. Although initially successful, the British counterattacked and the New Hampshire troops were pushed back. Arnold returned to camp, updated Gates on developments, and asked to lead a massive reinforcement – “it is Late in the Day but Let me have men & we will have some Fun with them Before Sun Set.” Gates agreed and Arnold prepared to attack. Arnold’s massive reinforcement was decisive, resulting in the enemy’s wholesale retreat from the wheatfields by 5pm. Fraser, left to command the rearguard defense during the retreat, fell mortally wounded.

The remnants of Burgoyne’s probing force fled into the Light Infantry Redoubt; they were followed close by American troops who attacked, but it held firm. Other American units moved north to strike at Breymann’s fortified camp, a fort which defended the northwestern flank of Burgoyne’s entire camp. It’s poorly designed defenses, isolated position, and undermanned status made it an easy target. American riflemen and light infantry rounded the camp’s front and collected behind a hill located in front of the camp’s main wall, while two American battalions posted along its front. A dozen riflemen moved around the main wall’s open left flank. Joined by Arnold, they entered the camp while American forces overwhelmed the main wall to the front. The Germans fired, retreated to their tents in the rear, and reloaded. Arnold demanded a surrender, but the Germans fired and fled into the darkened woods behind them. Arnold was severely wounded in the left leg; Breymann, the camp’s commander, was killed.

The battle ended with a decisive tactical victory for the American cause; the British lost over 630 casualties while the Americans lost about 150. Operationally, the result was a boon for the victors: with his entire camp’s northwestern defenses now compromised, most of Burgoyne’s forces abandoned their encampments and consolidated close to the Hudson River that night.