Near Bemis Heights in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 25, 2024

1. The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend Marker

Inscription.
Despite having fought against the Americans in the French and Indian War, France was willing to covertly help the fledgling United States. Massive secret shipments of "unofficial" aid arrived in North America throughout 1777.

The French set up a trading firm, Roderigue Hortalez et Compagnie, to send tents, tools, clothing, weapons, powder, and shot to arm the Americans. Their goal? To harm France's greatest rival, Great Britain.

Beaumarchais, a famous playwright, was a outspoken supporter of American independence. The French government asked him to form and manage The Roderigue Hortalez et Compagie.
Pierre-Augustine Caron de Beaumarchais by Paul-Constant Soyer, 1886, after Jean Baptiste Greuze, ca. 1780.

French Infantry Musket
The Hortalez trading company shipped over 100 French cannons and tens of thousands of French muskets to America in 1777.
Model is 90% of actual size

King Louis XVI was a very unlikely ally for the United States. France had warred against Great Britain — and its North American colonies — for generations.
His Most Christian Majesty, Louis XVI of France by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1775.

Erected 2024

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by Saratoga National Historical Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 42° 58.809′ N, 73° 37.709′ W. Marker is near Bemis Heights, New York, in Saratoga County. It can be reached from Saratoga Battlefield Tour Road. Marker is on pathway from Tour Stop #3 along the the ridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

in the Capital District,

and in the Albany Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Not Everyone’s Loyalties are Clear (a few steps from this marker); “We have a Fine Train of Artillery, consisting of 24 Pieces” (within

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 25, 2024

2. The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend Marker

shouting distance of this marker); “The General … Discovered a Spot which Fully Answered His Wishes” (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); High Ground Halts an Invasion (about 600 feet away); “You will observe that we have some new works.” (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Liberty Loving Engineer (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bemis Heights.

Other markers no longer nearby. Redoubt (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Patriots’ Eye-View (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); American River Defense (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Thaddeus Kosciusko (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); American River Fortifications (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Strategy and Terrain (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Fortifying The High Ground (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Questions of Loyalty (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Anchor of the American Line

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2024

3. The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend Marker

(was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); North Redan (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Pierre Beaumarchais (Wikipedia).

Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (24 January 1732 – 18 May 1799) was a French polymath. At various times in his life, he was a watchmaker, inventor, playwright, musician, diplomat, spy, publisher, horticulturist, arms dealer, satirist, financier and revolutionary (both French and American).

(Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

2. Charleville Musket (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.