Schuylerville in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Stench of Failure
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
1. The Stench of Failure Marker
Before he left England in 1776, General John Burgoyne bet a friend 50 gold guineas that he would return home triumphant in a year. His invasion force left Canada in June 1777 with pomp and spectacle, looking invincible.
After marching hundreds of miles, this British army suffered stunning defeats in battles near Saratoga. They crowded together in the filth and mud on this hilltop, drenched by cold October rains. All hope of victory was gone.
We were obliged to bring our oxen and horses into our [fortification], where they had the wretched prospect of living but a few days, as our grass was all gone, and nothing after but the leaves of the trees for them . . . Our cattle began to die fast and the stench was very prejudicial in so small a space.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1777.
Location. 43° 5.598′ N, 73° 35.534′ W. Marker is in Schuylerville, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker can be reached from Monument Drive, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along a walking trail through Victory Woods. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. . . . their cannon shot . . . reaching every part of our camp (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Last Ditch Defenses (about 400 feet away); Burgoyne Hopelessly Surrounded (about 400 feet away); A Good Place to Set Up Camp (about 400 feet away); Victory Woods (about 500 feet away); You’ve Been Robbed! (about 600 feet away); Fraser’s Corps (about 600 feet away); Two Brothers Meet Again (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schuylerville.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of British soldiers and others, including animals, in their fortification.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take of tour of Victory Woods, where the British army under Gen. John Burgoyne retreated to after the Battles of Saratoga, and from where he surrendered on October 17, 1777.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce (Submitted on February 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Saratoga National Historic Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
2. The Stench of Failure Marker
3. A British perspective on the Battle of Saratoga from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
3. Marker on the Victory Woods Trail
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2013
4. The Stench of Failure Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
