Editing Battles of Saratoga (section)

===American situation===
The [[Continental Army]] had been in a slow retreat since Burgoyne's capture of Ticonderoga early in July, under the command of Major General [[Philip Schuyler]], and was encamped south of [[Stillwater, New York]]. On August 19, Major General [[Horatio Gates]] assumed command from Schuyler, whose political fortunes had fallen over the loss of Ticonderoga and the ensuing retreat.<ref name="K337">[[#Ketchum|Ketchum (1997)]], p. 337</ref> Gates and Schuyler were from very different backgrounds and did not get along with each other.  They had previously argued over command issues in the army's Northern Department.<ref name="K52_3">[[#Ketchum|Ketchum (1997)]], pp. 52–53</ref>  The army was growing in size because of increased militia turnout following calls by state governors, the success at Bennington, and widespread outrage over the slaying of [[Jane McCrea]], the fiancée of a Loyalist in Burgoyne's army by Indians under Burgoyne's command.<ref name="N288">[[#Nickerson|Nickerson (1967)]], p. 288</ref> This massive outpouring of militia continued as the battle progressed (and Burgoyne had no way of obtaining reinforcements). This sealed Burgoyne's fate. By the end of the battle, Burgoyne's army totaled 5,791, and the effective colonial force was about 12,000 men.<ref>Graham, James. ''The Life of General Daniel Morgan of the Virginia Line of the Army of the United States,'' p. 171, Zebrowski Historical Services Publishing Company, Bloomingburg, New York, 1993. {{ISBN|1-880484-06-4}}.</ref>

[[File:The Death of Jane McCrea John Vanderlyn 1804.jpeg|thumb|left|''[[The Death of Jane McCrea]]'' by [[John Vanderlyn]]. The slaying of [[Jane McCrea]] by Native Americans under Burgoyne's command was widely published in newspapers throughout the colonies.  This led to a massive turnout of colonial militia, outnumbering Burgoyne's army by two to one.<ref>Graham, James.  ''The Life of General Daniel Morgan of the Virginia Line of the Army of the United States,'' p. 171, Zebrowski Historical Services Publishing Company, Bloomingburg, New York, 1993.  {{ISBN|1-880484-06-4}}.</ref>]] 

General [[George Washington]]'s strategic decisions also improved the situation for Gates' army. Washington was most concerned about the movements of General Howe. He was aware that Burgoyne was also moving, and he took some risks in July. He sent aid north in the form of Major General [[Benedict Arnold]], his most aggressive field commander, and Major General [[Benjamin Lincoln]], a Massachusetts man noted for his influence with the New England militia.<ref name="N180">[[#Nickerson|Nickerson (1967)]], p. 180</ref> He ordered 750 men from [[Israel Putnam]]'s forces defending the New York highlands to join Gates' army in August, before he was certain that Howe had indeed sailed south. He also sent some of the best forces from his own army: Colonel [[Daniel Morgan]] and the newly formed Provisional Rifle Corps, which comprised about 500 specially selected riflemen from [[Pennsylvania]], [[Maryland]], and [[Virginia]], chosen for their [[sharpshooter|sharpshooting]] ability.<ref name="N216">[[#Nickerson|Nickerson (1967)]], p. 216</ref> This unit came to be known as [[Morgan's Riflemen]].

[[File:Burgoyne's March on Albany, 1777.svg|thumb|left|Map showing the movements of the opposing armies in the [[Saratoga campaign]], and plan of the Battles of Saratoga (inset)]]

On September 7, Gates ordered his army to march north. A site was selected for its defensive potential that was known as Bemis Heights, just north of Stillwater and about {{convert|10|mi|km}} south of [[Saratoga, New York|Saratoga]]; the army spent about a week constructing defensive works designed by Polish engineer [[Tadeusz Kościuszko]]. The heights had a clear view of the area and commanded the only road to Albany, where it passed through a [[defile (geography)|defile]] between the heights and the [[Hudson River]]. To the west of the heights lay more heavily forested bluffs that would present a significant challenge to any heavily equipped army.<ref name="K347_8">[[#Ketchum|Ketchum (1997)]], pp. 347–348</ref>