University of Virginia Library

THE BATTLE.

General Burgoyne was a British officer. He was a foreigner
—a “blarsted” Englishman. He was sent over here to subjugate
America and to find this battle field. No one knew of the
place but Burgonye. He had spent the summer of 1755
with Charles Leland at the Clarendon. All the time he was
not drinking Congress water he spent looking for this place.
At last he found it, and went back and told Oliver Goldsmith.
Oliver told Lord Palmerston, and he told George III. Mr.
Seward was our St. James Minister then. He found out the
secret, telegraphed it to Mr. Fish, and it was stolen from the
State Department that same night, by some remorseless correspondent.

General Burgoyne sailed down from Plattsburg on the
Champlain Canal. He brought 8,000 men. They were picked
men—picked off by Federal sharpshooters. General Gates and
General McClellan came up by way of the Hudson River steamboats—People's
line. Burgoyne put up at Meyers' Cedar Bluff
Hotel, and Gates and McClellan occupied rooms at Moon's.
Moon was then a mere lad. He cherished the Republic,
supported the Continental Congress, and went on selling his
fried potatoes. Just before the battle, and while Burgoyne's
cannon were booming in the distance, Mrs. Moon consecrated
herself to her great patriotic work—frying potatoes. Generals
Gates and McClellan were burning with patriotic ardor—Mrs.
Moon with her patriotic larder. The booming cannon inspired
them to deeds of lofty heroism.

The battle was about to commence. Burgoyne moved up with
the Turcos and Landwehr from Stillwater. The Uhlans were in
front. Then came a delay. He had lost the battle field—taken
the wrong road. General Beauregard and General Sheridan now
galloped up. They were accompanied by Mr. Bergh and Josh
Billings.

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“Hast thou found the memorable spot on which this sanguinary
action is to occur?” asked Burgoyne in a tone of agitation.

F. Sheridan said he had. M. Beauregard also nodded assent.
Sheridan said they searched for a long time, but their researches
were finally rewarded. They found the place—they knew it was
the place by the monument. The monument said on it thus:

1775.

Sacred to the Memory
of
HORACE BURGOYNE, F. SHERIDAN,
And Others who Surrendered
to
U. S. GATES, GENERAL McCLELLAN,
MRS. MOON AND MRS. MEYERS,
NEAR
Saratoga, where the Clarendon, Union,
and Congress Hall Hotels are always
happy to accommodate guests at $5 per
day. Liberal discount made on weekly
bills.

J. MORRISSEY,
Secretary.

The eagle eye of General Burgoyne caught the superscription,
and he said, “Let the gods rejoice—it is found.”

McClellan's men now moved up from Moon's.