Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle Begins at Barber’s Wheat Field
History Now
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
1. The Battle Begins at Barber’s Wheat Field Marker
The fighting began where you now stand and in the woods behind you in mid-afternoon of October 7, 1777. Within minutes, more than 4,000 men collided in savage combat along a line stretching westward across the Barber Wheat Field in front of you and into the clearing on the far hillside.This panorama recreates the struggle at the moment when the Americans gained the advantage. In the foreground, Patriots pour murderous volleys into the retreating British Grenadiers. Smoke in the far distance marks the crumbling British right flank.
In the middle ground, though still fighting valiantly, German and English ranks are giving way to the American onslaught.
Erected by Saratoga National Historical Park, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1450.
Location. 43° 0.064′ N, 73° 38.791′ W. Marker is in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker is on Park Tour Road,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Fraser Was Struck (here, next to this marker); Colonel Joseph Cilly (here, next to this marker); The Second Battle Begins (a few steps from this marker); The British Withdraw (a few steps from this marker); Brig. Gen. Abraham Ten Broeck (within shouting distance of this marker); Here Frazer Fell (within shouting distance of this marker); New York and Massachusetts Forces (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rockefeller Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.
More about this marker. The center of the marker contains a picture of the peak of the October 7 Battle of Saratoga. American and British troops are seen in lines fighting only several yards from each other.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Bemis Heights, (Second Saratoga), 7 October 1777. History of War website. (Submitted on August 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Saratoga National Historical Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on August 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
2. Markers at Barber’s Wheat Field
Several markers are located at this site, overlooking the field where the bloodiest fighting occurred on October 7, 1777.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
3. Site of the second Battle of Saratoga
On this field, the American Army met and turned back a force of 1,500 British and German troops that were headed for the American left flank on Bemis Heights.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,088 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
