Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Schuylerville in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The Last Ditch Defenses

 
 
The Last Ditch Defenses Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
1. The Last Ditch Defenses Marker
Inscription.
“ . . . the army was posted as well as the ground would admit of, fortifying our Camp, and preparing for any attempt that the Enemy . . . might . . . make.”
Thomas Anbury,
ensign, 24th Regiment of Foot

Here, after a brutal 8-mile-long retreat, British soldiers strained through the night to throw up earthen defenses against an American attack. Two thousand men then lay, day and night, near trenches like the one you see here with no tents to shelter them from the cold autumn rains.

Their worn out horses and oxen lay beside them. Burgoyne’s fortified camp was big – the size of 80 modern football fields. Each shovelful of dirt bought an extra measure of safety, but cost the British time they could have used to escape.
 
Erected by National Park Service.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
 
Location. 43° 5.657′ N, 73° 35.535′ W. Marker is in Schuylerville, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker can be reached from Monument Drive, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along a walking trail through Victory Woods. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schuylerville NY 12871, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
distance of this marker. . . . their cannon shot . . . reaching every part of our camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Victory Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Burgoyne Hopelessly Surrounded (within shouting distance of this marker); You’ve Been Robbed! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Good Place to Set Up Camp (about 300 feet away); The Stench of Failure (about 400 feet away); Fraser’s Corps (approx. 0.2 miles away); Two Brothers Meet Again (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schuylerville.
 
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of British troops constructing their fortifications.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take of tour of Victory Woods, where the British army under Gen. John Burgoyne retreated to after the Battles of Saratoga, and from where he surrendered on October 17, 1777.
 
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce website entry (Submitted on February 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.) 

2. Saratoga National Historic Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
The Last Ditch Defenses Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
2. The Last Ditch Defenses Marker
The trench (overgrown) mentioned on the marker can be seen behind the marker.
 

3. A British perspective on the Battle of Saratoga from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
 
Marker on the Victory Woods Trail image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
3. Marker on the Victory Woods Trail
The Last Ditch Defenses Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
4. The Last Ditch Defenses Marker
The marker can be seen on the left of the boardwalk.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=66800

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 18, 2024