Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

American Encampment and General Headquarters

History Now

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

1. American Encampment and General Headquarters Marker

Inscription.
Mid-September of 1777 found an American army of 8,500 encamped on these uplands, called Bemis Heights. The soldiers worked feverishly building fortifications to block the Crown Forces marching from the north.

You can see the site of American Horatio Gates’ headquarters and the field hospital about ¼ mile to the south.

Erected by Saratoga National Historic 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 year for this entry is 1777.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 42° 59.118′ N, 73° 38.49′ W. Marker was in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. It could be reached from Auto Tour Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in Saratoga National Historic Park along the auto tour road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America.

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,

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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: Healing Bodies and Souls (a few steps from this marker); Can a New General Win? (a few steps from this marker); Who Fought for the United States Here? (a few steps from this marker); New Hampshire Memorial (a few steps from this marker); “you may well think that is hard living” (a few steps from this marker); Camp Now or Never (within shouting distance of this marker); Even a Friendly Army Does Damage (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the American Defenses (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.

Other markers no longer nearby. John Neilson House and Farm

Marker in Saratoga National Historic Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

2. Marker in Saratoga National Historic Park

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Who Fought For The United States Here? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Neilson Farm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The right of the marker contains a picture of American troops building the fortifications at Bemis Heights. To the left is a photograph indicating the location of Gates’ Headquarters and the American Field Hospital.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce website entry (Submitted on August 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Saratoga National Historic Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on August 3, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

3. American Encampment and General Headquarters Marker

This marker is found at the Neilson Farm/Bemis Heights stop on the Auto Tour Road in Saratoga National Historic Park.

American Encampment on Bemis Heights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

4. American Encampment on Bemis Heights

The blue-topped poles indicate the position of the American fortifications at this location during the Battles of Saratoga.

Construction At Site of Old Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023

5. Construction At Site of Old Marker

The older marker has been permanently removed.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023

6. American Encampment and General Headquarters Marker

Older markers have been removed.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,453 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.