The Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777) marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign in the early phase of the American Revolutionary War. Resulting in a decisive American victory over British forces led by General John Burgoyne, the battles persuaded France to enter the war as an American ally. Historian Edmund Morgan described Saratoga as "a great turning point of the war because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory."[9] As part of a strategy to divide New England from the southern colonies, Burgoyne led an invasion army of 7,200–8,000 men southward from Canada through the Champlain Valley, hoping to meet a similar British force marching northward from New York City and another British force marching eastward from Lake Ontario; the goal was to take Albany, New York. Burgoyne's strategy began promisingly, but stalled due to logistical issues. In the first battle, at Freeman's Farm on September 19, Burgoyne won a tactical victory over General Horatio Gates and the Continental Army at the cost of significant casualties, with the battle often called a "Pyrrhic victory." The battle began with Burgoyne's attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights with some of his troops. American Major General Benedict Arnold anticipated the maneuver, and placed significant forces in his way. Still, Burgoyne was able to gain the field. Skirmishes continued in the following days, while Burgoyne waited in the hope that reinforcements would arrive from New York City.

While Burgoyne's troop strength was nominally higher, he likely had only about 5,000 effective, battle-ready troops on October 7, as losses from the earlier battles in the campaign and desertions following the September 19 battle had reduced his forces. General Riedesel advised that the army retreat. Gates, following the removal of Arnold from the field command, assumed command of the American left and gave the right to General Lincoln. While Burgoyne's troop strength was nominally higher, he likely had only about 5,000 effective, battle-ready troops on October 7, as losses from the earlier battles in the campaign and desertions following the September 19 battle had reduced his forces. General Riedesel advised that the army retreat. Gates immediately sent Major Armstrong after him with orders to return; Armstrong did not catch up with Arnold until the action was effectively over. Burgoyne had lost over 1,000 men in the two battles, leaving him outnumbered by roughly 3 to 1. Burgoyne had also lost several of his most effective leaders, his attempts to capture the American position had failed, and his forward line was now breached. After the second battle, Burgoyne lit fires at his remaining forward positions and withdrew under the cover of darkness. He withdrew his men 10–15 miles north, near present-day Schuylerville, New York. By the morning of October 8, he was back in the fortified positions he had held on September 16.