Wilbraham's Connection: The Ordeal of Burgoyne's Army in Revolutionary America

At the start of the American Revolution, the British recognized the strategic significance of controlling the water route connecting Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the Hudson River. They believed gaining control of this route would sever communication and supply lines between the northern and southern colonies, weakening the rebellion. Trouble had primarily brewed in New England, so the British aimed to quell the rebellion there, expecting the rest of the colonies to follow suit. In 1776, the British, led by Gen. Sir William Howe, successfully captured New York City and parts of the lower Hudson Valley.

However, their advance from Canada, led by Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, was halted at Fort Ticonderoga, and they were forced to retreat due to harsh winter conditions. In 1777, Gen. John Burgoyne, who had been part of the failed Canadian expedition, proposed a renewed effort to seize control of the waterway. His plan, outlined in "Thoughts for Conducting the War on the Side of Canada," aimed to strengthen the existing strategy in New York, and it gained approval from Lord Germain. Burgoyne was appointed to lead the new campaign, marking a significant moment in the British strategy during the American Revolution.

The Campaign of 1777 was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, marked by a coordinated effort by British forces to gain control of strategic points in the colonies. Gen. John Burgoyne was tasked with advancing south from Canada through Lake Champlain, capturing Fort Ticonderoga, and proceeding along the Hudson River to Albany. Meanwhile, Gen. Sir William Howe was to advance north from New York City to Albany, where the two forces would converge. Additionally, Barry St. Leger was to lead a third force west along the Mohawk River Valley, serving as a diversion and securing a western water route between Canada and New York City by recruiting loyalists.

However, the plan faced significant challenges. Howe became preoccupied with a campaign to capture Philadelphia, delaying his advance to Albany. St. Leger's force became embroiled in a prolonged siege of Fort Stanwix and was eventually forced to retreat to Canada as American forces closed in. Despite these setbacks, Burgoyne remained unaware of his colleagues' difficulties and continued his march towards Albany.

The disjointed nature of the British strategy, coupled with unforeseen obstacles, ultimately contributed to the failure of the Campaign of 1777 and had significant ramifications for the course of the American Revolution.

After capturing Ticonderoga with ease and speed that shook patriot morale, Burgoyne continued his march south, defeating American troops at Hubbardton and forcing the evacuation of Forts Anne and Edward. Then his luck began to run out. A column of Hessians (German mercenaries) he sent to raid Bennington was defeated by troops under Brig. Gen. John Stark and Lt. Col. Seth Warner. Continuing southward, Burgoyne crossed near present-day Stillwater, where the Americans under Horatio Gates, who had replaced Philip Schuyler as American commander, had taken up position on Bemis Heights. Burgoyne tried to break through the American lines at Freeman’s Farm (Sept. 19) and at Bemis Heights (Oct. 7). Both attempts failed, and the British commander, finding himself outnumbered and surrounded and unable to retreat, surrendered on October 17, 1777.

Burgoyne’s defeat and surrender at Saratoga, coupled with the victory months prior at Fort Stanwix, led directly to the alliances between the United States, France, and the Netherlands. These alliances helped to sustain the new United States throughout the rest of the war and directly contributed to the final victory and British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.

Following the Battle of Saratoga, instead of demanding Burgoyne's surrender, General Gates offered to enter into a convention with him. This convention, known as the Convention of Saratoga, was a formal treaty that temporarily halted hostilities between the two armies. Under its terms, Burgoyne and his soldiers were allowed to return to England on the condition that they would not take up arms against America again.

Per the terms of surrender, the British on October 17 marched out with honors, grounded their arms, and began a 200-mile trek to Boston. In late October General Burgoyne and his army numbering about 5800 soldiers marched through the Town of Wilbraham on the Post Road and crossed the stone bridge over Spear Brook that can still be seen today.   

However, this generous treatment of Burgoyne and his army sparked outrage among Revolutionary Americans. Throughout the conflict, British forces treated American prisoners harshly, leading to overcrowded prisons and appalling conditions on disease-ridden prison ships. In response to public outcry, the Continental Congress suspended the Convention of Saratoga, deciding to keep Burgoyne's army in American captivity for the remainder of the war, which lasted over five and a half years.

Yet, Congress faced a dilemma as it lacked the resources to support the British prisoners. With the British unwilling to reimburse Congress for their expenses, and Congress struggling to even provide for its troops, a dire situation arose. In desperation, Congress devised a solution that would have unforeseen and disastrous consequences for the British captives.

Following the suspension of the Convention of Saratoga, Congress took immediate action to address the situation of the British prisoners. Originally slated to be transported from Boston back to England, the prisoners faced resistance from the local population, who vehemently opposed hosting the costly and disgruntled redcoats. With Massachusetts refusing to provide for them, Congress decided to relocate the prisoners to Charlottesville, Virginia.

Now as prisoners of war, Burgoyne’s army was marched south but without their General who had been returned to the British at Newport, Rhode Island. On November 7, 1778. Approximately 4145 troops and a number of baggage wagons made this journey including General Riedesel, the commander of the German troops attached to Burgoyne, his wife, and four young children. As they traversed the Post Road and Stone Bridge in Wilbraham, the British forces were diverted from their earlier traveled route east towards Boston. Instead, they turned south onto the West Road (Main Street) in Wilbraham, bypassing the main road to Springfield. This diversion was a strategic decision by the American forces, aiming to prevent the British from nearing the arsenal in Springfield once again. The British troops then encamped for the night in Wilbraham, likely near the town center, before continuing their journey toward Enfield, Connecticut. From there, they crossed the Connecticut River into Suffield and beyond, as they pressed onward to Virginia.  

The journey to Charlottesville was arduous, spanning hundreds of miles and taking place during a harsh winter. Upon arrival, the prisoners were greeted with dire conditions: scarce food and no shelter. The local populace regarded them with a mixture of hostility and opportunism. Merchants and farmers sought to profit from their presence by selling goods at exorbitant prices, while militia guards often mistreated the defenseless captives, venting their frustrations on them.

The relocation of the British prisoners to Virginia only exacerbated their suffering, subjecting them to exploitation and abuse at the hands of both civilians and militia personnel.

Painting of John Burgoyne's surrender to Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777. (National Archives)