Drive. Pray. Scream?: Day 49: Turning Point

We visited Saratoga National Historical Park today, which memorializes the two battles fought on its fields in 1777. Many historians say that the October 7 victory won by the Americans over the British that year was the most important not only of the Revolutionary War, but of the last 1,000 years. While not large in scale or casualities when compared with other battles, it was nonetheless the first decisive victory over King George III's army (considered the best in the world at that time) and lead to France's decision to declare war on Britain, turning the colonists' rebellion into a world war.

The national park consists of an auto tour that takes visitors to key places in the campaigns' topography...the key skirmishes, headquarters, fortifications and even a wheat field in which British scouts were attacked while gathering grain to feed the besieged army. The countryside, which overlooks the Hudson River, is serene and beautiful. We found it difficult to imagine the hard-fought engagements of 235 years ago. One building remains from that time...a farmhouse that was used as a command headquarters by the American forces. Outside its front door, the girls learned the steps necessary to load and fire a musket (using wooden sticks, not the real thing!), drill in military formation and patrol the field. Kelsey was especially convincing in her light blue sunglasses. :-)

We drove a few miles north to complete the experience, climbing the 188 steps of the 155-foot obelisk erected in 1877 to commemorate the site of the British surrender following the 2nd Battle of Saratoga. We learned it's one of four such obelisks in the country, the tallest being the Washington Monument in D.C. The Saratoga Monument has four niches near its base, but only three contain statues of key commanders in the battles. The fourth is empty and would have held a statue of Benedict Arnold, perhaps one of the greatest military leaders of his time and without whom the Battle of Saratoga would have surely ended in the Americans' defeat. Arnold's name is not found anywhere within the park, and the niche is bare, due to his treasonous defection in 1780. Had he stayed the course with the Colonists, historians theorize his name would be memorialized throughout the country in similar fashion to Washington's. We're listening to an A&E podcast about him and are intrigued to learn more about this complicated man who is often likened to Napoleon in temperament and talent.

As our journey has brought us to this Mid-Atlantic part of the country, which played host to so many significant events in our nation's birth, we're challenged to stay focused and keep dates and names in their correct places. Getting lots of sleep is going to be key, and we're committing to get to bed earlier than midnight, which has become a bit of a habit in recent weeks! On that note, goodnight!