Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XIV.djvu/652

 628 SARAGOSSA SARATOGA large hospital, and a university established in 1474. The bridge over the Ebro was built in 1487. Saragossa was founded by Augustus in 27 B. 0., taken by the Goths about 470, by the Moors in 712, and by Alfonso I. of Aragon in 1118. It is famous for the two sieges it sus- tained in 1808, the first from June 16 to Aug. 14, when the French were repulsed with great loss, and the second from Dec. 20, 1808, to Feb. 21, 1809, when the city surrendered after one of the most desperate defences in history, and was held by the French till July, 1813. Du- ring the siege 54,000 persons in the city per- ished, of whom only 6,000 were killed by the enemy, the rest dying from an epidemic which broke out and which compelled the surrender. SARAGOSSA, Maid of. See AOUSTIXA. SARATOGA, an E. county of New York, bounded E. and partly N. by the Hudson river, and S. by the Mohawk ; area, 780 sq. m. ; pop. in 1870, 51,529. The surface is mountainous in the northwest. Iron ore, sandstone, and limestone are abundant. The central portion abounds in mineral springs, principally at Sar- atoga and Ballston Spa. The Champlain canal passes along the E. and the Erie along the S. border, and it is traversed by several railroads. The chief productions in 1870 were 15,913 bushels of wheat, 173,599 of rye, 881,541 of Indian corn, 581,674 of oats, 144,985 of buck- wheat, 1,236,915 of potatoes, 83,399 tons of hay, 194,792 Ibs. of wool, 1,426,308 of butter, 83,277 of cheese, 52,296 of hops, and 38,316 of honey. There were 9,200 horses, 15,779 inilch cows, 11,041 other cattle, 40,513 sheep, and 7,675 swine ; 6 manufactories of boats, 8 of brick, 32 of carriages and wagons, 3 of cot- ton goods, 4 of woollen goods, 1 of linen, 1 of window glass, 1 of edge tools and axes, 3 of hardware, 6 of iron castings, 6 of machinery, 2 of engines and boilers, 12 of paper, 20 of sad- dlery and harness, 8 of sash, doors, and blinds, 4 of wooden ware, 10 tanneries, 16 flour mills, and 30 saw mills. Capital, Ballston Spa. SARATOGA, Battle of. On Sept. 14, 1777, the expedition of Burgoyne crossed the Hudson by a bridge of boats and encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga, near Fish creek, within a few miles of the northern di- vision of the continentals under Gen. Gates at Still water. Kosciuszko had fortified Bemns's heights ; the right wing occupied a hill near- est the river, and Arnold commanded the left wing about three fourths of a mile further removed. Next day the right wing of the British advanced to within 4 m. of the Ameri- can lines, and on the 19th made a further for- ward movement of 2 m. It was led by Bur- goyne, and consisted of Canadians and Indians, supported by a body of grenadiers and light infantry under Gen. Fraser. Gen. Morgan, who had been detached about noon with his sharpshooters to observe Burgoyne's move- ments, drove back the advanced guard, but coming upon the main column was compelled to retreat. Reinforcements coming up under Arnold, a severe conflict ensued, commencing about 4 o'clock and continuing until dark. The loss of the Americans was within 400, that of their adversaries about 500. This con- test is variously called the battle of Saratoga, Stillwater, and Bemus's heights. Frustrated in this attempt, his communications with Can- ada cut off by the seizure of the posts at the outlet of Lake George, and his supplies inter- cepted by the capture of a large fleet of boats with provisions and 300 men, Burgoyne's only hope was in Sir Henry Clinton, who had promised to attempt the ascent of the Hudson for his relief. He fortified his camp, but after waiting two weeks had no alternative but to hazard a battle. On Oct. 7, seconded by Major General Phillips and Riedesel, and Brigadier General Fraser, he advanced with 1,500 picked troops, two 12-pounders, two 6-pounders, and two howitzers, and offered battle to the Amer- ican army. Scouts were sent out with or- ders to make a diversion in the rear, but they were discovered by the advanced guard of the Americans. Two detachments went forward, one under Gen. Poor against the British left and one under Morgan against their right. On the left the Americans advanced against the British grenadiers and artillery, and, having been joined by Arnold (who had rushed with- out orders to the head of the detachment, and assumed the command), took and lost the bat- teries again and again, until the enemy had been driven off and their own guns turned upon them. Morgan in the mean while had attacked the enemy's right under Fraser, who was fatally wounded by a sharpshooter. This, followed by a reinforcement of the Americans, threw the British into confusion, and Bur- goyno, abandoning his artillery, retreated to his camp in good order. Here he was again desperately assailed, and the Americans car- ried a portion of the camp and drove off the Hessian reserve. Arnold, who led the last charge, was severely wounded in the leg. Night closed the contest ; the victors lay on their arms near the battle field, and Burgoyne abandoned a portion of his camp and moved to the river. On the 9th he retreated to Saratoga, and on the 10th the whole British force occupied their former camp, which they proceeded to strengthen in the hope of succor from Sir Henry Clinton, should they not be able to effect a retreat. An American battery under Gen. Fellows commanded the passage across the river, the bridges on the road to Fort Edward were destroyed, and Gates with about 12,000 men appeared on the S. side of Fish creek prepared for battle. Without an avenue of retreat, continually exposed to the fire of Gates's and Fellows's batteries and the riflemen of Morgan, without provisions for more than a few days, and despairing of re- lief, Burgoyne, after consultation, on Oct. 13 proposed a cessation of hostilities until terms of capitulation could be agreed upon. Gates demanded an unconditional surrender, which