Horatio Gates

Burgoyne attacked the Continental Army at Freeman's Farm on September 19, 1777, winning a tactical victory at the cost of heavy casualties.

Historians disagree over whether Benedict Arnold remained at Gates' headquarters or actively directed troops during the battle.

Responding to a threat, Arnold requested more forces and Gates allowed him to dispatch Ebenezer Learned's brigade of Massachusetts regiments.

Burgoyne attacked the entrenched American position on October 7, 1777, but was defeated and lost his earlier gains.

Surrounded by a much larger American force and denied timely relief, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to Gates on October 17, 1777.

Burgoyne's army arrived near Fort Ticonderoga on July 1 and besieged it from July 2 to July 6, 1777.

St. Clair's garrison abandoned Ticonderoga on the night of July 6, marching toward Hubbardton in the disputed New Hampshire Grants.

On July 7, 1777, Fraser's British forces caught and defeated the American rearguard at Hubbardton, Vermont.

Captured Americans were sent to Ticonderoga; British troops went to Skenesboro, while the escaped main body enabled later American victories.

Cornwallis learned of Gates's movement on August 9, marched from Charleston, and reached Camden on August 13 with 2,239 effective troops.

Cornwallis's 2,100 British regulars and militia defeated Gates's 4,000-man American army four miles north of Camden, inflicting nearly 2,000 casualties.

The victory thrilled Britain and George III but devastated Americans; Gates's decisions were condemned, and Smallwood's command hopes collapsed.

The Americans lost eight field pieces, over 200 wagons, and most baggage; Cornwallis reported about 1,000 prisoners, many wounded, taken on August 18.

In March 1783, George Washington calmed the soldiers and helped secure back pay, defusing the apparent threat by army leaders.

An anonymous letter circulated in the army camp at Newburgh on March 10, 1783, possibly instigated by members of the Congress of the Confederation.

A June 1783 letter by General Gates illustrated disagreement over the events, writing that their purpose was to pressure Congress.

Joseph Barnes built the hull from 1785, machinery parts were installed in December 1786, and the boat was tested at Shenandoah Falls before the public trial.

Rumsey's steam-driven water-jet boat made a very successful public demonstration on the Potomac at Shepherdstown before local notables including Horatio Gates.