We take it for granted, but American independence was not a foregone conclusion.

The Revolutionary War was long, more than six grinding years between the first shots

at Lexington and Concord and the British Surrender at Yorktown.

And the all too often unpaid, ill-equipped, underfed patriots were almost always playing

defense, one battle away from total defeat, and the very real risk of capital punishment

as traitors to the crown.

Father of his country, George Washington earned that title.

But Washington wasn't at Saratoga in upstate New York, site of arguably the most important

turning point in the war.

In the summer of 1777, about 8,000 troops under British General John Bergoine came down

from Canada and through the Hudson River Valley, expecting to join British troops moving up

from New York City.

The colonies would be split into a classic divide and conquer, and the rebellion would be put

down.

But those other British troops didn't show, and on September 19th near the town of Saratoga,

the British Bergoine met a line of American troops.

After an initial bloody confrontation, the British and the Americans, under the cautious leadership

of General Horatio Gates, engaged each other indecisively for almost three weeks.

Then, on October 7th, the British launched an attack trying to break through American

lines.

But before Gates could issue a command, another American general flew into action.

No man shall keep me in my tent today, this general raged.

...