In all the spectacle of war there has seldom been a sight the equal of British General Burgoyne's campaign of 1777. The float and march south from Canada had almost a surreal quality juxtaposed against the Adirondack wilderness. Hundreds of vessels making up an immense inland navy on Lake Champlain transported nearly 9,000 combatants together with 138 cannon. Burgoyne's objective was Fort Ticonderoga and from there, Albany, and a rendezvous with British forces coming from New York City. The strategic purpose of the campaign was nothing short of an end to the American Rebellion.

The intrigue on the American side lay in the cult of personality. Saratoga was to be Benedict Arnold's greatest victory in a string of successes which rank him among the finest field commanders of the era. Known to all Americans as the great traitor, it is ironic to discover that twice he salvaged the Revolution from certain collapse. It was Arnold's conspicuous gallantry and bold leadership which assured America victory at Saratoga and, by extension, its independence.

The fighting at Freeman's Farm would be savage. Here no farmer's militia, but rather Continental Regulars (anxious to redeem a recent reputation for retreat), stood toe to toe with Europe's finest. The sanguinary nature of the fighting was summed up best by American Brigadier General John Glover who said, "Both sides seemed determined to conquer or die."

It's the 19^th of September, 1777. Do you, as the British, attempt to storm the prepared American positions on the high ground at Bemis Heights in order to open up the River Road and the most direct route to Albany? Or do you attempt to turn the American left where intelligence reports the American defenses are incomplete and the ground favors your approach? How will you employ the large number of Hessian mercenaries in your army? Will their performance match their reputation?

As the Americans do you wait on Bemis Heights for the approach of the enemy as General Gates preferred, or do you sortie and meet the approach of the British in the forests where their artillery will be of little value? Will Generals Gates and Arnold cooperate, or will their feud spell disaster for the American cause? And what of the fog on this chilly Autumn morning? Will it be an ally to the Americans by impeding the progress of the enemy?

These are only a few of the challenges facing you as you relive one of history's most decisive battles and the turning point of the American Revolution.

2006 Edition Additions

The 1st Edition of GMT's award-winning Saratoga: Turning Point of the American Revolution portrayed the tense struggle in front of Bemis Heights that became known as The Battle of Freeman's Farm. The 2006 edition includes that original battle PLUS counters and rules to allow gamers to model the possibility of a renewed British attack on the next day.

NEW "Next Day Scenario" Information:

The Battle of Freeman's Farm was a marginal British victory but a strategic stalemate. American General Gates, in superior numbers and on prepared ground, was still astride the only road to Albany. Burgoyne saw no real flexibility in his orders. He had to press the attack and intended to do so the very next day.

Unknown to Burgoyne, the Americans were apprehensive of just such a push. They were down to just 40 rounds per man while British ammunition had been replenished to full 60 rounds per man. Wilkinson, Gates' Deputy Adjutant General, later testified, "If Burgoyne had attacked the American camp on the 20th or 21st as he originally intended, his force would have enabled him to lead a column of 5,000 rank and file against our left, where the ground was most favorable to his approach, whilst a feint on our right, by the plain near the river, would have kept every man at his station within our extensive lines, and under such advantages on his side, it is highly probable he would have gained a decisive victory."

As it happened, Burgoyne was convinced by his staff to delay the offensive for 24 hours during which time Clinton's coded message arrived from New York. An imperfect reading of that message suggested Clinton was on his way with a relief column when in fact all he planned was a diversion against the Hudson Highlands. Burgoyne decided to suspend forward movement, dig in, and wait for Clinton. Another one of history's "lost opportunities...."

2006 Edition Additional Features:

• One 10-sided die
• 20-page Rule Book
• Two Player Aid Cards

• Set-up in 5 minutes, play in 2 hours, and is ideal for tournament play.
• Each side can aspire to 3 levels of victory each with its own set of conditions.
• Random player order assures variability of play.
• Army morale track measures tenacity and will to fight of opposing forces.
• Gates-Arnold controversy, with variants.
• Unique capabilities for rifle armed units.
• 8 tactics chits with use restricted to gain close combat modifiers.
• Combat results which include pinned, capture, and step reduction.
• Leaders -- Gates, Arnold, Morgan, Burgoyne, von Reidesel, and Fraser.
• Basic -- Advanced -- and Optional Rules formats including: American garrison requirements, diversion, momentum, Jaeger capabilities, and fog.