by Elaine Marie Cooper
For years in the early 1800’s, the grassy bluff overlooking
the Hudson River in Schuylerville, New York, looked like an ordinary field. But
the residents of the area knew differently. On October 17, 1777, it was the
site where British General John Burgoyne surrendered to the American Army after
the Battle of Saratoga—and the course of history changed as the Revolution
began its victorious turn toward the birth of a new nation.
While other historic locales often had granite rocks of
remembrance, the site of the surrender in Saratoga was left unmarked. Several
citizens of New York State bemoaned the lack of a monument and determined to
erect one.
On October 17, 1856 (the 79th anniversary of the surrender),
a group of patriotic gentleman met in the town of Schuylerville to discuss a
plan. After a small celebration including a banquet, the group organized a
Saratoga Monument Association, with the intent to erect “a fitting memorial on
the site of Burgoyne’s surrender.”
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 cast a gloom over the
country and suspended all planning for a Saratoga Monument. It wasn’t until
1872 that the association was able to reconvene. In the meantime, several of
the association’s original trustees had died—but the dream of creating a
monument had not.
New members joined the cause and petitions were sent to the
legislatures of the original thirteen colonies asking for their support. An
architect designed a plan for the monument and a letter was sent to Congress
requesting an appropriation of funds for this memorial to celebrate the
upcoming centennial of the battle.
A petition to the Senate and assembly of the State of New
York earnestly entreated support for “considerations of high patriotic duty…to
commemorate the centennial anniversary of the great victory.” It was hoped that
the laying of the corner stone might take place at that time.
Years of effort were finally accomplished on October 17,
1877, when a two-mile procession, replete with civic, masonic and military
pageantry, marched to the site of the surrender where, in front of 40,000
viewers, the cornerstone for the Saratoga Monument was laid.
When the ground was broken during the memorial’s construction,
the architect discovered two bullets from the 1777 battle within a foot of each
other. While excavating the same area, workmen dug up two cannon balls.
Finally in 1883, the completed granite obelisk rose to its
full height of 155 feet. It is an impressive sight both from a distance and up close.
The four sides have arched alcoves, one for each heroic American officer who
led at Saratoga in 1777. The niche facing west has a statue of sharpshooter,
Colonel Daniel Morgan. The eastern alcove holds a likeness of General Phillip
Schuyler and the northern niche, General Horatio Gates. Only the southern
alcove is empty, representing Benedict Arnold who was a hero in Saratoga but
turned traitor during the American Revolution. It is often said that if Arnold
had died of the wounds he received in that battle, he would today be remembered
as a hero. Instead his name is synonymous with being a turncoat.
The Saratoga Monument is now overseen by the National Park
Service and is open for visitors during the summer months. For more information
about visiting the monument and the Saratoga battlefield, you can visit their
website here.
As I was reading through this, I wondered what they did about Benedict Arnold. Love how they handled it! Genius. :)
ReplyDeleteIt really was genius, Pegg—acknowledging his presence yet without the honor. And it is so striking to see the empty alcove. The beauty of the structure is striking as well. :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteVery interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Tina
Thanks for reading, Tina! I appreciate your comment. :)
DeleteGreat post, Elaine. I'm looking forward to Saratoga Letters
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Janet. Wish you were here at conference. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteMe too.;-)
Delete