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

Strategy and Terrain

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

1. Strategy and Terrain Marker

Inscription. By closing the road and river, the Americans forced the British into rough, wooded lands where they could not use their infantry and artillery to best advantage.

Erected by Saratoga National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 42° 58.882′ N, 73° 37.622′ W. Marker was in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. It was on Park Tour Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Saratoga National Historical Park along a walking trail at the American River Fortifications stop. 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, 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

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Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in 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 7 other markers are within walking distance of this location: “The General … Discovered a Spot which Fully Answered His Wishes” (a few steps from this marker); High Ground Halts an Invasion (within shouting distance of this marker); “You will observe that we have some new works.” (within shouting distance of this marker); A Liberty Loving Engineer (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); “We have a Fine Train of Artillery, consisting of 24 Pieces” (about 400 feet away); The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend (about 600 feet away); Not Everyone’s Loyalties are Clear (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fortifying The High Ground (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Questions of Loyalty (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently

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

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

2. Marker in Saratoga National Historical Park

These strategically placed fortifications were set up by Col.Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer and volunteer in the American cause. These works proved to be the key to American strategy against Burgoyne in 1777.

removed); Anchor of the American Line (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Redoubt (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); North Redan (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Patriots’ Eye-View (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); American River Fortifications (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); American River Defense (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Thaddeus Kosciusko (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The upper left of the marker features a map of the area, indicating the location of the American fortifications in relation to the Hudson River and Road to Albany. It also indicates the course taken by Burgoyne when he found the road impassable.

Two photographs appear on the right of the marker. The top photo has a caption of “The bluff comes close enough to the river for cannon up here to sweep the narrow valley.” The lower photograph has a caption of “Viewed from below, the bluff raises a formidable barrier.”

Also see . . .
1. Saratoga National Historical Park.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 30, 2010

3. Strategy and Terrain Marker

National Park Service website entry. (Submitted on August 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga Chamber of Commerce website entry (Submitted on August 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Map of American River Fortifications image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

4. Map of American River Fortifications

Artillery at the American River Fortifications image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008

5. Artillery at the American River Fortifications

American infantry and artillery at this location, along with batteries along the river, virtually closed the Road to Albany to the British, forcing them to attack the main American lines at Bemis Heights. The blue-topped poles indicate the location of the American fortifications in 1777.

New Markers at Bemis Heights Fortifications Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023

6. New Markers at Bemis Heights Fortifications Area

The old markers have been removed permanently in the course of updating the markers for 2027.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,092 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on July 1, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.