Breymann Redoubt stop on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park

SARATOGA BATTLEFIELD TOUR

STOP 7: THE DECISIVE MOMENT / BREYMANN REDOUBT

 Allow 20 minutes for a visit

The seventh stop on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour is at the Breymann Redoubt, one of two log-and-earth forts the British built after the First Battle of Saratoga (aka Battle of Freeman’s Farm) on September 17, 1777. The Breymann Redoubt anchored the right flank of their defensive line that stretched from here to the Hudson River. At the time the Second Battle of Saratoga began (aka Battle of Bemus Heights), the fort was only manned by about 200 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Heinrich Breymann. These men consisted of Breymann’s German Reserve Corps, French Canadians who were drafted against their will, and American Loyalists. The fort was also outfitted with two cannon.

Cannon at the Breymann Redoubt stop on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park

A redoubt is an enclosed fort built in an outlying area that serves as an outpost for soldiers sent to defend a strategic point. Faced with an overwhelming attack, this is a place to where the soldiers can fall back. In fact, the definition of redoubt is “a place of retreat.” This is exactly what happened during the Battle of Bemus Heights on October 7, 1777, when the Americans attacked the British a little to the southwest at Simeon Barber’s wheatfield. Outnumbered two to one, the British were driven back to their two redoubts where they hoped to put up a better fight. Most headed towards the larger—and closer—Balcarres Redoubt at Freeman’s Farm, and the troops there were able to hold off the attack. With the Breymann Redoubt already undermanned, and with fewer British soldiers falling back to it, the 1,000 Americans who attacked the fort were easily able to capture it by early evening. Breymann was killed during the fighting.

Since the best place for a fort is at the top of a hill, it should come as no surprise that the walk from the parking lot to the Breymann Redoubt site is up a steep hill. The paved path is a quarter mile long. It starts at one side of the parking lot and circles around to come out at the other side. Being paved, if you are in a wheelchair, you can get to the top, but short of being a Paralympian or having a powered wheelchair, you will need somebody to push you.

Paved path up a steep hill to the Breymann Redoubt at Stop 7 on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour, Saratoga National Historical Park

Top of the hill where the Breymann Redoubt was located, Saratoga National Historical Park

Along with two cannon and a few wayside exhibits is the Boot Monument, a somewhat contraversial memorial to American General Benedict Arnold. While now known as America’s most infamous traitor, Arnold was a hero and well-liked commander at the time of the fighting at Saratoga. He was shot in the ankle during the attack on the Breyman Redoubt. The sculpture on the monument is of a boot (shot in the foot) draped over a cannon barrel with its muzzle pointed downward, which symbolizes defeat, or in this case injury (some interpret it as disgrace). The inscription on the back reads, “In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne’s great [western] redoubt 7th October 1777 winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General.” There is no mention of Arnold’s name on the monument.

Boot Monument at the Breymann Redoubt, Saratoga National Historical Park

Boot Monument at the Breymann Redoubt, Saratoga National Historical Park

There is also a restroom, a couple of picnic tables, and a bicycle repair station at this stop on the Saratoga Battlefield Tour.

Bicycle repair station and picnic tables at the Breymann Redoubt, Saratoga National Historical Park

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