1777: The Road to Saratoga

SAR Magazine
Winter 2017, Vol. 111, No. 3

A Trip with President General J. Michael Tomme — Proposed dates: May 4-13, 2017

This itinerary generally follows the 1777 route of British Gen. John Burgoyne from Québec City to his defeat at Saratoga at the hands of Patriots under the command of Gen. Horatio Gates. It ends with a patriotic celebration in Albany, the unachieved objective of Burgoyne’s campaign. Along the way, we plan to dedicate at least two SAR markers or interpretive signs.

day 1: May 4, 2017 ~ arrive Québec city

Welcome to Québec City! You will be greeted at the Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) by a uniformed MAGIC team member after you clear customs and will be escorted to waiting transportation to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax and acquaint yourself with this beautiful old Canadian city and get ready for our SAR opening night event.

Included meals: Dinner. Overnight: Québec City

day 1: sar significance ~ May 6, 1777

On May 6, 1777, Gen. John Burgoyne reached Québec City from London, where he had consulted with military and political leaders and had an audience with King George III. The objective of his 1777 campaign, agreed to in London with Lord George Germain, secretary of state for the Colonies, was to isolate the more troublesome New England Colonies by invading the Hudson Valley from Canada while the forces of Gen. William Howe, the British commander‐in‐chief in North America, moved north into the Hudson Valley from New York City. These two British armies were to meet at Albany, New York.

day 2: May 5, 2017 ~ Québec city

Guided sightseeing of Québec City.

• Journey along cobblestone streets on a walking tour of UNESCO‐recognized Old Québec City, which is surrounded by 18th-century fortifications.
• Make stops to sample regional cheeses, maple bacon, poutine and other traditional foods.
• Enjoy a fabulous lunch together in Québec City.
• Stop at the Plains of Abraham, a national battlefield that served as the site of a defining 1759 conflict between France and Britain during the Seven Years’ War.

Included: Entrance fees at Plains of Abraham and guided visit as well as funicular ride (breakfast and lunch, Québec City)
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch. Overnight: Québec City

say 3: May 6, 201d~ Montréal

Take in stunning countryside views as we drive to Montréal along the St. Lawrence River. Enjoy arriving in your new
city with French flair.

Included meals: Breakfast and dinner. Overnight: Montréal

day 3: sar significance ~ May 14, 1777

On May 14, 1777, Sir Guy Carleton, British governor of Québec, and Gen. Burgoyne departed for Montréal.

day 4: May 7, 2017 ~ Montréal

Guided sightseeing of Montréal.

• Photo stops at the stunning Notre Dame Basilica, an architectural landmark built in the Gothic Revival style.
• Enter Canada’s largest basilica, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, which is capped by a copper dome.
• Journey on to the Montréal Museum of Archeology and History, with its archeological remains from every period of the city’s past.
• Enjoy the French tradition of un grand déjeuner (big lunch).

Included: Entrance fees at Saint Joseph’s Oratory and Montréal Museum of Archeology
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch. Overnight: Montréal

day 4: sar significance ~ May 27, 1777

On May 27, 1777, Gen. Burgoyne reviewed the advance corps of General Simon Fraser at Montréal.

day 5: May 8, 2017 ~ burlington

Transfer from Montréal to Burlington by motorcoach, stopping in Saint-Jean sur‐Richelieu.

• Enter Fort Saint-Jean Museum to explore the fascinating history of the region.
• Enjoy lunch together in Saint-Jean sur‐Richelieu. Please note: the museum is open by appointment only during the proposed dates. Therefore, entrance cannot be immediately guaranteed.

Included: Entrance fees at Fort Saint-Jean Museum
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch. Overnight: Burlington

day 5: sar significance ~ June 15, 1777

On June 15, 1777, Gen. Burgoyne embarked down Lake Champlain from Saint‐Jean‐sur‐Richelieu en route for Albany to link up with Gen. Howe’s army, which was supposed to be moving north from New York City.

day 6: May 9, 2017 ~ lake george

Transfer from Burlington to Lake George by motorcoach with stops at the Ethan Allen Homestead and Crown Point State Park historic sites.

Included: Entrance fees at Ethan Allen Homestead
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner. Overnight: Lake George

day 6: sar significance ~ June 30, 1777

Gen. Burgoyne reached Crown Point by June 30, 1777, and issued General Orders there, including the directive: “This Army must not retreat.”

day 7: May 10, 2017 ~ lake george

In the morning, we head to historic Fort Ticonderoga.

• We are headed to 1777 to experience the Fort’s significance in the American Revolution and life in the 18th century.
• Explore the Fort’s gardens, museum, and walk the Fort itself.
• Experience a live musket fire demonstration.

Included: Entrance fees at Fort Ticonderoga. Included meal: Breakfast. Overnight: Lake George

day 7: sar significance ~ July 5, 1777

On July 5, 1777, the British began raising a battery on Sugar Loaf (Mt. Defiance), making the defense of Fort Ticonderoga untenable; American forces began evacuation of the fort. American forces would retake Fort Ticonderoga following the victory at Saratoga.

day 8: May 11, 2017~ lake george

After breakfast, we head to Fort Edward for a brief introduction to the history of the town.

• Experience the Old Fort House, which was used as headquarters by both the British and the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
• Visit the schoolhouse where Susan B. Anthony once taught.

Included meals: Breakfast. Overnight: Lake George

day 8: sar significance ~ July 27, 1777

On July 27, 1777, advance parties of Native Americans allied with the British reached Fort Edward and murdered Jane McCrea. Although affianced to a Loyalist, McCrea’s murder undermined British claims of protection for Loyalists and provided the Patriot cause with propaganda that led to successful recruiting drives in New York for several years. Gen. Burgoyne reached Fort Edward on July 29, 1777.

day 9: May 12, 2017 ~ albany

Transfer from Lake George to Albany by motorcoach with an excursion to Saratoga National Park.

• Guided sightseeing of Saratoga National Park.
• Personally guided caravan tour of Saratoga Battlefield with an official Saratoga Battlefield guide.
• Fare‐thee‐well reception and dinner

Included: Entrance fees at Saratoga National Park
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner. Overnight: Albany

day 9: sar significance ~ sePt. 19, 1777

The first battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, occurred on Sept. 19, 1777. A militia of sharpshooters from Virginia harassed the British, while other Patriot forces engaged the British troops. This first battle significantly weakened Burgoyne’s army and contributed to his near total defeat at the hands of General Horatio Gates in the second battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Bemis Heights, on Oct. 7, 1777.

Burgoyne, outnumbered 3 to 1, surrendered his army on Oct. 17, 1777. He would never reach Albany. But the SAR WILL reach Albany, and we will celebrate the victory at Saratoga in style!

day 10: May 13, 2017 ~ Homeward bound!

Compatriots will be escorted to the Albany Airport (ALB) for return flights home.

Included meal: Breakfast