Near Schuylerville in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fortifying The High Ground
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023
1. Fortifying The High Ground Marker
These bluffs command the Hudson River and valley below- General Burgoyne's only route to Albany.
The valley here is wide, but in 1777 a huge swamp called the Great Vly clogged the approaches from the north. The British Army would have to stick to the river and the road.
Gates ordered the construction of the defenses here upon the recommendation of Colonel Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a young engineer from Poland. Sent by Gates to find suitable ground for a defensive line on September 11, Kosciuszko quickly saw the defensive possibilities here on Bemus Heights.
Military engineers under Kosciuszko's orders planned defenses which would use every advantage of the terrain. The construction of those defenses began the next day. It would turn out to be just one week before the first battle!
(illustration captions:)
Map by William Wilkinson, courtesy of the Library of Congress
Tadeusz Kosciuszko by Carl Gottlieb Schat, ca 1802
GL Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. Marker has been
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 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
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023
2. Fortifying The High Ground Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Questions of Loyalty (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Strategy and Terrain (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Anchor of the American Line (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); North Redan (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Redoubt (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
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 16, 2023
3. Fortifying The High Ground Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
