Back in Time: 1777

[Adam Helmer]

On October 7, 1777, what was considered the turning point of the Revolution occured. What was it?

Meanwhile, in the Mohawk Valley, NY another battle occured that butressed the subject above. What was that?

Let's hear from our historians?

Adam

[BILLY D.]

Mr. Helmer

You are causing me to do waaaay too much reasearch. I remembered the Battle part of the question, it was the battle of Sa. I won't give it away.

I'm still looking for the second part. Thanks for these kinds of questions. I love historical questions. I guess being the first in my family to be born in the States was a big influence on my wanting to learn everything I could about America. I sopped up everything I could find to read about it.

My Grandfathers were both heavy readers. At the end of the day they were reading and had a stein of beer and the radio turned low, cigar or a pipe going. Ah yes, the smell of kraut, boiled cabbage, beer, cigar and pipe smoke and boiled or fried sausage wafting through the house. If this generation of candy a$$es had to smell that stuff the local child protection unit would be impounding the kids.

Thanks again. Bill

[Adam Helmer]

Bill,

Meine Grosseltern war Deutsch. Ich spreche nur ein bissen Deutsch.

Ok, Bill, you are hot on the trail and I suggest a fine book by Walter B. Edmonds, (circa 1936) "Drums Along the Mohawk." There was a three-pronged attack to split the colonies and end the war in British favour in 1777. The New York City Northern prong never got out of town. The Western prong ended at ------------ when St. Ledger was defeated by Militia General Herkimer.

The Southern marching column under Bourgoyne had actually two battles a month apart in New York State.

Tim Murphy, on his THIRD shot, killed what British General?

I really like to go visit Fort Ticonderoga this time of year. Besides visiting the fort, I go to Mount Defiance, one mile South, and walk along the British gun line that gave them Fort Ti in 1777.

More questions to follow. I just was nominated for my 4th annual term as President of the county historical society-I am in my element here.

Adam

[DogYeller]

Could it have been Benedict Arnold's action against the British at Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights?

[Adam Helmer]

Dog Yeller,

You nailed it! Yes, it was the SECOND Battle of Freeman's Farm. Or the Battle of Saratoga.

Now, how about the Western prong of the three-prong attack? Where did the Colonists stop St. Ledger with his 500 Brits and tories and hundreds of Indians?

Adam

[DogYeller]

Battle of Oriskany?

[Adam Helmer]

Dog Yeller,

You get a "A+" for right answers. Yep, you know your history.

Adam

[BILLY D.]

Adam

Mein Deutsch ist nicht sehr gut. Ich kann Abendessen etc. bestellen. Ich kann einige einfache Satze tun. Die meisten technishen Wortern, die ich kenne, sind die Feuerwaffen und Automobil, die bezogen werden.

To the war. Timothy Murphy was employed in the war as a scout sniper. He was a member of Morgans Riflemen, their job was to break things and kill people. Much the same way our "scout snipers" did in 'nam. In one day at the same engagement Murphy shot and killed both General Simon Fraser and Sir Francis Clerke.

It sounds as though Gen. Howe had some Custer blood in him. He rushed into Philadelphia dis-regarding his flanking Armies much the same way Custer did to Cook and Miles at the "Little Big Horn". It was a good plan, just poorly executed. He hung Burgoyne and St. Ledger out to dry. St. Ledger was stopped in his tracks at Ft. Stanwix.

It was through the resolve of the American forces that France decided to enter the war along with the Dutch and Spanish which then made it a world war. The British had offered a peace proposal and the French did not like the sound of it.

As far as the Western portion of the war that was won by Clark in Vincennes later proved important as a bagaining chip with the British.

Best wishes, Bill

[Adam Helmer]

Bill,

Du hast rechts! Du bist zehr klug.

I have walked the lands of Saratoga: Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights. Tim Murphy did, on his third shot, hit and kill General Simon Frazer.

I first read about Dan Morgan while in elementry school. There were reading books available and many biographies were on the bookshelf. Dan Morgan is a very interesting founding father, in my view. He was a wagoner in Braddock's Campaign, was later at Quebec with Arnold and was captured there. He took a 96-man Virginia rifle company to Boston just after Bunker Hill and later won fame at the Battle of Cowpens.

George Rogers Clark is another man that went above and beyond in my view. His Western Campaign is unbelievable. Long before the 1940 Battle of Britain, the Americans could look at Clark and truly say, "Never have so many owed so much to so few." Clark staked our claim to the Old Northwest and quieted down the hostiles on the frontier.

Be well.

Adam