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General John Burgoyne (24 February 1722 – 4 August 1792) was a British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.
John Burgoyne is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War. He designed an invasion scheme and was appointed to command a force moving south from Canada to split away New England and end the rebellion. Burgoyne advanced from Canada but his slow movement allowed the Americans to concentrate their forces. Instead of coming to his aid according to the overall plan, the British Army in New York City moved south to capture Philadelphia. Surrounded, Burgoyne fought two small battles near Saratoga to break out. Trapped by superior American forces, with no relief in sight, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777. His surrender, says historian Edmund Morgan, "was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory".[1] He and his officers returned to England; the enlisted men became prisoners of war. Burgoyne came under sharp criticism when he returned to London, and never held another active command.
Burgoyne was also an accomplished playwright known for his works such as The Maid of the Oaks and The Heiress, but his plays never reached the fame of his military career. He served as a member of the House of Commons for a number of years, sitting for the seats of Midhurst and Preston.
John Burgoyne is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War. He designed an invasion scheme and was appointed to command a force moving south from Canada to split away New England and end the rebellion. Burgoyne advanced from Canada but his slow movement allowed the Americans to concentrate their forces. Instead of coming to his aid according to the overall plan, the British Army in New York City moved south to capture Philadelphia. Surrounded, Burgoyne fought two small battles near Saratoga to break out. Trapped by superior American forces, with no relief in sight, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777. His surrender, says historian Edmund Morgan, "was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory".[1] He and his officers returned to England; the enlisted men became prisoners of war. Burgoyne came under sharp criticism when he returned to London, and never held another active command.
Burgoyne was also an accomplished playwright known for his works such as The Maid of the Oaks and The Heiress, but his plays never reached the fame of his military career. He served as a member of the House of Commons for a number of years, sitting for the seats of Midhurst and Preston.
John Burgoyne - Wikipedia
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Burgoyne's Invasion: Saratoga Campaign of 1777
An animated map of British General Burgoyne's invasion from Canada toward Albany in 1777.
Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that February 24 is the anniversary of the birth of British army officer, dramatist and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1761 to 1792 General John Burgoyne who first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.
Images:
1. 1777 surrender of general burgoyne at Saratoga, NY.
2. John Burgoyne - oil on canvas _1758,_(after_Allan_Ramsay).
3. John Burgoyne, by Joshua Reynolds, c. 1766. Courtesy the Frick Museums
Burgoyne's Invasion: Saratoga Campaign of 1777
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7Jp4XeBRRE
Background from battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-burgoyne
"John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne
TITLE Lieutenant General in American Revolutionary War
DATE OF BIRTH - DEATH
February 24, 1722 - August 4, 1792
John Burgoyne was born in London in 1722. After he completed his education at the Westminster School, he joined the army as a cornet in the 13th Light Dragoons in 1740. He eloped with the daughter of the Earl of Derby. The Earl was not happy with the marriage and gave Burgoyne a small amount of money from to dismiss the young couple’s marriage. Burgoyne ignored the Earl’s wishes and used the money to buy a captaincy in the 13th Dragoons. However, the money was soon used up and Burgoyne had to sell the captaincy before departing to France in financial exile.
After seven years in France, the Earl finally warmed up to Burgoyne and helped him acquire a captaincy in the 11th Dragoons. The Earl of Derby’s social and financial influence coupled with Burgoyne’s military talent placed Burgoyne in a position where he was able to play an instrumental role in the British’s fight against the French coast in the Seven Years’/French and Indian War. He also helped to form the first two British light horse regiments and was given command of one of them. He earned the nickname “Gentleman Johnny” for the decent manor in which he lead his men.
After the Seven Years’ War ended, he served in Parliament. Despite his reputation as a gambler and actor, Burgoyne was regarded as an exemplary politician. During his service in Parliament, he began his career as a playwright and in 1775, his first dramatic play began production. That same year, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. Shortly following his promotion, Burgoyne was sent to Boston with General William Howe and Henry Clinton to help General Thomas Gage deal with the situation in Boston. Burgoyne witnessed the Battle of Bunker/Breed’s Hill before departing for England in November 1775.
In May 1776, Burgoyne was sent back to the colonies and stopped the American invasion at Quebec. During the Battle of Valcour Island, he began formulating an idea for an invasion of New York, the Campaign of 1777. The plan required generals Howe and Barry St. Leger to meet Burgoyne in Albany, New York, but fell through after Howe decided to take Philadelphia instead of meeting Burgoyne in Albany. That decision proved fatal to Burgoyne’s efforts in New York. General Horatio Gates’ men surrounded Burgoyne and his 5,800 men, causing Burgoyne to surrender on October 17, 1777 at Saratoga.
Burgoyne is often credited for the British’s terribly embarrassing defeat. After his surrender, he returned England and gradually retreated out of the public’s eye to focus on his career as a playwright. His most famous play is The Heiress. He died on June 4, 1792 and was interred at Westminster Abbey on August 13."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
Images:
1. 1777 surrender of general burgoyne at Saratoga, NY.
2. John Burgoyne - oil on canvas _1758,_(after_Allan_Ramsay).
3. John Burgoyne, by Joshua Reynolds, c. 1766. Courtesy the Frick Museums
Burgoyne's Invasion: Saratoga Campaign of 1777
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7Jp4XeBRRE
Background from battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-burgoyne
"John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne
TITLE Lieutenant General in American Revolutionary War
DATE OF BIRTH - DEATH
February 24, 1722 - August 4, 1792
John Burgoyne was born in London in 1722. After he completed his education at the Westminster School, he joined the army as a cornet in the 13th Light Dragoons in 1740. He eloped with the daughter of the Earl of Derby. The Earl was not happy with the marriage and gave Burgoyne a small amount of money from to dismiss the young couple’s marriage. Burgoyne ignored the Earl’s wishes and used the money to buy a captaincy in the 13th Dragoons. However, the money was soon used up and Burgoyne had to sell the captaincy before departing to France in financial exile.
After seven years in France, the Earl finally warmed up to Burgoyne and helped him acquire a captaincy in the 11th Dragoons. The Earl of Derby’s social and financial influence coupled with Burgoyne’s military talent placed Burgoyne in a position where he was able to play an instrumental role in the British’s fight against the French coast in the Seven Years’/French and Indian War. He also helped to form the first two British light horse regiments and was given command of one of them. He earned the nickname “Gentleman Johnny” for the decent manor in which he lead his men.
After the Seven Years’ War ended, he served in Parliament. Despite his reputation as a gambler and actor, Burgoyne was regarded as an exemplary politician. During his service in Parliament, he began his career as a playwright and in 1775, his first dramatic play began production. That same year, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. Shortly following his promotion, Burgoyne was sent to Boston with General William Howe and Henry Clinton to help General Thomas Gage deal with the situation in Boston. Burgoyne witnessed the Battle of Bunker/Breed’s Hill before departing for England in November 1775.
In May 1776, Burgoyne was sent back to the colonies and stopped the American invasion at Quebec. During the Battle of Valcour Island, he began formulating an idea for an invasion of New York, the Campaign of 1777. The plan required generals Howe and Barry St. Leger to meet Burgoyne in Albany, New York, but fell through after Howe decided to take Philadelphia instead of meeting Burgoyne in Albany. That decision proved fatal to Burgoyne’s efforts in New York. General Horatio Gates’ men surrounded Burgoyne and his 5,800 men, causing Burgoyne to surrender on October 17, 1777 at Saratoga.
Burgoyne is often credited for the British’s terribly embarrassing defeat. After his surrender, he returned England and gradually retreated out of the public’s eye to focus on his career as a playwright. His most famous play is The Heiress. He died on June 4, 1792 and was interred at Westminster Abbey on August 13."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
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Great history share, remember studying him from high school thru military professional schools.
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