National War Memorial Registry, War Memorial Catalog Of United States

IN THE FIELDS BEFORE YOU, THE FIRST ACTION OF THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA BEGAN. SHORTLY AFTER NOON ON SEPTEMBER 19, AMERICAN PICKETS POSTED IN THE FREEMAN HOUSE FIRED ON ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF THE CENTER COLUMN OF THE BRITISH ARMY. THE AMERICANS WERE DRIVEN BACK. AFTER A LULL, GENERAL FIGHTING FOLLOWED, AND THESE FIELDS CHANGED HANDS SEVERAL TIMES. THEN, GERMAN TROOPS UNDER BARON VON RIEDESEL ARRIVED FROM THE RIVER AND STRUCK THE AMERICAN FLANK, FORCING THE PATRIOTS TO WITHDRAW TO BEMIS HEIGHTS. THE BRITISH HAD POSSESSION OF THESE FIELDS BUT THEIR ADVANCE ON ALBANY HAD BEEN HALTED.