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. 43° 0.112′ N, 73° 36.607′ W. Marker is near Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker can be reached from Saratoga National Battlefield
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Burgoyne’s Retreat (a few steps from this marker); Main Crown Forces Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crown Forces Artillery Park (about 400 feet away); Burial Site of General Fraser (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Redoubt (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crown Forces Baggage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Retreat, Pursuit, and Surrender (approx. ¼ mile away); Surviving Portion of Champlain Canal (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.
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 December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 11 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.
