On October 17, 1777, Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword and army to Major General Horatio Gates, an event which marked the first time a British army surrendered in world history, sending shockwaves across the globe. Burgoyne was defeated days earlier at the Second Battle of Saratoga, ending the British plan to conquer upstate New York, reinvigorating the American cause for independence, and simultaneously opening Great Britain’s dominance worldwide to other challengers.

Approximately 6,300 British and German officers, soldiers, and 600 women and children surrendered that day, making them subject to the terms of the Articles of Convention between Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Major General Gates. Maine native, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Brigadier General William Whipple of the New Hampshire militia, was appointed by Gates to participate in the negotiations, deliver the terms of surrender to Burgoyne, and escort him and the British troops to a designated camp in Boston, Massachusetts.

The surrender at Saratoga, led France to officially recognize the newly formed United States of America, and form a powerful alliance. The American Revolution continued for several more years, and did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. However, this is where my current history tour will end, at the Saratoga Monument. The massive 155-foot tall obelisk was commissioned in 1877 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the surrender that changed world history.

To learn more about the Battles of Saratoga, this monument, and the surrender site, as well as to plan your own visit, please go to the Saratoga National Historic Park at NPS.gov. Dogs on-leash are welcome at the sites, but not inside any of the buildings or the monument.

If you’d like to learn more William Whipple, born in Kittery, Maine, and married into the prominent New Hampshire Moffatt family, we recommend a visit to the Moffatt-Ladd House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. There you can see a living witness to this time in history, the “Tree of Independence.” The enormous chestnut tree to the left of the house was planted by Whipple following his return from signing the Declaration of Independence. Next year the tree will be celebrating its 250th anniversary. Please note dogs are NOT allowed on the grounds of the Moffat-Ladd house or inside the museum.

While in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, you can also find at the Portsmouth Athenaeum, William Whipple’s travel journal and expense report from the Saratoga Campaign, including his observations on escorting Burgoyne, as well as an official copy of the Articles of Convention between John Burgoyne and Horatio Gates.