Near Schuylerville in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
All Armies Travel on Their Stomachs
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 25, 2024
1. All Armies Travel on Their Stomachs Marker
General Burgoyne's army had 3,800 British troops and about 400 "follower" women and children. More than 2,000 of them camped nearby. And they all had to be fed by the commissaries. Such a multitude could not "live off the land" in 1777.
British rations dwindled down to flour, biscuits, salt pork, and spruce beer. It was a rare treat to get bread, fresh beef, or rum. On October 3, Burgoyne had to "diminish the soldier's rations, in order to lengthen out the provisions." The general claimed that the men "submitted with the utmost cheerfulness.
Here you would have seen a British camp with of linen tents like these. Each small tent sheltered one officer - or up to half a dozen soldiers, women, and children. Log walls and cannons protected the front of the camp.
Biscuit
Hard biscuit made of flour and water were a staple for the soldiers, women and children here.
A Perspective View of an Encampment, printed for Bowles & Carver, 1780.
Erected 2024 by Saratoga National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 3, 1777.
Location. 43° 0.102′ N, 73° 37.212′ W. Marker is near Schuylerville
this page online
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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beaten, Broken, But Still Beloved (here, next to this marker); Redcoats and their Families (here, next to this marker); Consequences of Failure (within shouting distance of this marker); Get Ready to Retreat (approx. half a mile away); Why Do the Battles of Saratoga Matter? (approx. half a mile away); Buried Here: Any Hope of Victory (approx. half a mile away); Crucial Choices (approx. half a mile away); We had been warned to keep extremely quiet. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schuylerville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Burgoyne and His Army (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Main British Encampment (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Burgoynes Headquarters (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Readying to Retreat (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed); Burgoynes Retreat (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 25, 2024
2. All Armies Travel on Their Stomachs Marker
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, July 25, 2024
3. Tour Stop #8.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
