Near Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Readying to Retreat
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
1. Readying to Retreat Marker
Here on these bluffs and in the valley below you can see where General Burgoyne reassembled his army. It was just one day after the October 7 battle.
The Hudson River and the river road had made it possible for the British Army to march south to try to take Albany. Now that defeated, discouraged, and hungry army readied itself to retreat north on that same route.
Delaying for a Burial
Burgoyne delayed the start of the retreat to fulfill the dying wish of his beloved Brigadier-General Simon Fraser. Fraser, pictured to the left, was mortally wounded in the previous day's battle, one of just two British generals to be killed or mortally wounded in combat during the eight-year-long-war. He chose this location. "on account of the beauty of the view."
(picture caption) Brigadier General Simon Fraser 1778, Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection Brown Digital Repository Brown University Library
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1778.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 43° 0.112′ N, 73° 36.607′ W.
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Buried Here: Any Hope of Victory (here, next to this marker); Why Do the Battles of Saratoga Matter? (here, next to this marker); Get Ready to Retreat (within shouting distance of this marker); They were cutting off limbs and taking out bullets (about 300 feet away); British Troops in Blue Coats (about 400 feet away); the Whole Way was marked with Devastation (about 800 feet away); Hike the Refugee Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chasing Burgoyne Changed the World (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.
Other markers no longer nearby. Burgoynes Retreat (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The River Redoubts (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Main Crown Forces Hospital (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
2. Readying to Retreat Marker
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
3. The View to the Northeast from the Marker
This is the view that Fraser chose for his burial site. The Hudson River is visible.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
4. Looking East over the the Hudson River
Another view from the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
