George Canning Hill

“ The American troops under Poor marched steadily up the hill to the British right, took their fire in silence, and then rushed on to the assault. Again and again they dashed up to the field pieces, captured and lost them alternately, and finally held and turned them with deadly effect against the ranks of the enemy. At the same moment with this attack, the sharp crack of rifles was suddenly heard on the British right, and Burgoyne was filled with astonishment.
Gates remained at his head-quarters, and did not go upon the field at all. Arnold, as we have stated already, had no command. ”

“ The British army was all arranged with consummate skill, so as to take advantage of every favorable turn of the approaching battle. General Fraser who was on that day the soul of the British army, was stationed in advance of their right wing, with a force of five hundred picked men, 1o fall upon the American flank the moment the attack was made on their front. Morgan saw the design, and suggested to Gates that another force should be sent around to fall upon the flank of Fraser, as soon as the assault was made on the British left. ”

“ His conduct at that time stamped him a greater hero than even his courage in the trials and risks of hostile encounters. Gates, however, was a very different man. He came and found his work all blocked out for him. As another writer has observed, everything was ready for the sickle to be put into the harvest when he arrived in the camp. His letters to the commander-in-chief show how large was the measure of his self-conceit, and how delighted he was to find a splendid victory nearly ready to his hand.
General Arnold retraced his steps, after Fort Schuyler was relieved, towards the Hudson. ”

“ Burgoyne ordered his troops to clear the woods at the point of the bayonet, and they undertook the task. Each dash of the hostile wave, as it struck against the American position, was at once scattered harmless over the intervening plain. The Americans held their post with dogged resolution; from that it seemed impossible to drive them.
Our division rested on one hill-side, and the British on another opposite; the contest lay between. While the Americans fought from their own position, they fought successfully ”

“ He took the command of the left wing of the army, which was posted at London's Ferry, on the south bank of the Mohawk, about five miles distant from where it joins the Hudson. This position was chosen in order to check Burgoyne, should he attempt to cross the Mohawk and push down to Albany. But the battle of Bennington on the east, and the loss of Fort Schuyler on the west, together with the defection of numbers of his Indians just at this juncture, made it necessary for him to be cautious and remain where he now was at Fort Edward. Crowds were flocking to the American standard. ”

“ His aid came up to him and said, "It is evident that you are singled out, General, by the enemy's marksmen; you had better change your ground." "My duty forbids me to fly from danger," was his reply. In five minutes he fell from his horse, a bullet having been shot through his body. ”