John Burgoyne | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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John Burgoyne

John Burgoyne, army officer (b in Eng 1722; d at London, Eng 3 Aug 1792). A distinguished cavalry officer and public figure, Burgoyne arrived in Québec in 1776 with large reinforcements, and served during the successful campaign of that year.

Burgoyne, John

John Burgoyne, army officer (b in Eng 1722; d at London, Eng 3 Aug 1792). A distinguished cavalry officer and public figure, Burgoyne arrived in Québec in 1776 with large reinforcements, and served during the successful campaign of that year. In summer 1777 he led a force of 9000 soldiers southward along the Lake Champlain-Hudson River route with the objective of severing New England from the other colonies. After a series of costly battles, he was forced to surrender at Saratoga, New York, 17 October 1777, an event which led perhaps to the eventual American victory.