Defending Bemis Heights 1777
by Lianne Schneider
Title
Defending Bemis Heights 1777
Artist
Lianne Schneider
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Painting/photographic Art
Description
The Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777) conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. Two battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, 9 miles (14 km) south of Saratoga, New York.
Burgoyne's campaign to divide New England from the southern colonies had started well, but slowed due to logistical problems. He won a small tactical victory over General Horatio Gates and the Continental Army in the September 19 Battle of Freeman's Farm [called First Saratoga] at the cost of significant casualties. His gains were erased when he again attacked the Americans in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights.
The first battle, on September 19, began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights. Benedict Arnold, anticipating the maneuver, placed significant forces in his way. While Burgoyne succeeded in gaining control of Freeman's Farm, it came at the cost of significant casualties. Skirmishing continued in the days following the battle, while Burgoyne waited in the hope that reinforcements would arrive from New York City. Militia forces continued to arrive, swelling the size of the American army. Disputes within the American camp led Gates to strip Arnold of his command.
Second Saratoga: Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7)
Concurrently with the first battle, American troops also attacked British positions in the area of Fort Ticonderoga, and bombarded the fort for a few days before withdrawing. British General Sir Henry Clinton, in an attempt to divert American attention from Burgoyne, captured American forts in the Hudson River highlands on October 6, but his efforts were too late to help Burgoyne. Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights again on October 7 after it became apparent he would not receive relieving aid in time. In heavy fighting, marked by Arnold's spirited rallying of the American troops (in open defiance of orders to stay off the battlefield), Burgoyne's forces were thrown back to the positions they held before the September 19 battle and the Americans captured a portion of the entrenched British defenses.
The first phase of the battle lasted about one hour, and cost Burgoyne nearly 400 men, including the capture of most of the grenadiers' command, and six of the ten field pieces brought to the action.
A second phase ultimately resulted in a major defeat for the British as the Americans captured a portion of the British defenses and Burgoyne eventually surrendered to the Americans on October 17, 1777. This battle is seen as a turning point in the war. News of Burgoyne's surrender was instrumental in formally bringing France into the war as an American ally, although it had previously given supplies, ammunition and guns, notably the de Valliere cannon, which played an important role in Saratoga. Formal participation by France changed the war to a global conflict. This battle also resulted in Spain contributing to the war on the American side.
This digital work is a hand-painted composite of several works in the public domain courtesy of the National Park Service. The soldiers are interpreted from early prints in the Library of Congress and re-enactment photos that show the mix of uniforms from the Revolutionary War. I've chosen to depict militia members rather than regular Continental Army.
From Wikipedia - Battles of Saratoga
Thank you so much to the following groups for featuring this image:
SELECTED DIGITAL ART - TAIKAN
DIGITAL REALISM - ANNE
SELF-TAUGHT ARTISTS YOUR OWN - TRACY
COMPOSITE OR MIXED MEDIA - SHIRLEY
VISUAL VOICE - ANNIE
GREETING CARDS - SHARON
BOOK COVERS 1 PER DAY - JO ANN
ARTISTS BEST FIVE ARTWORKS - TINA
FAA FEATURED IMAGES - ROBERT
PREMIUM FAA ARTISTS - MARINESCU
EXCELLENT SELF-TAUGHT ARTISTS - JOE
IMPRESSIONISM - JOSEPH
ALL FINE ART AMERICA ARTWORK - NADINE AND BOB
ALL STARZ - NADINE AND BOB
ARTIST NEWS - NADINE AND BOB
MEMORIES AND NOSTALGIA - SANDRA
PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXTURES MAKE FINE ART - DARREN
Copyright Lianne Schneider 2014
All images and my personal poetry/prose are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, downloaded, distributed, transmitted, copied, reproduced in derivative works, displayed, published or broadcast by any means or in any form without prior written consent from the artist. My copyright does not imply rights to an underlying public domain image and I make no such claim. Copyright on works derived from or based on images in the public domain applies only to the subsequent manipulation or painting resulting from my changes. The original image remains in the public domain and such images are used in accordance with international law.
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March 2nd, 2014
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Viewed 1,793 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 04/22/2024 at 10:33 PM
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Comments (58)
Hanne Lore Koehler
Fantastic digital creation, Lianne!!! Marvelous colors, light and atmosphere in this wonderful composition! L/F/T/P
Music of the Heart
Amazing work Lianne. It is so very much detailed. It is interesting to see the kind of uniform and equipement that they have used at that time!! Also, the texture that you have used Linne makes the atmosphere is special that goes so well with the battle being shown. A great pleasure to see this image.. Excellent work!!! Stunning!!!!! L/F
Lianne Schneider
Thank you so very much to each one of you who have come by to leave a comment - that just means a great deal to me and I cherish every one. I hope I've been able to pop in to visit your galleries to say thank you in person but I will get there if I haven't yet. And thank you too to 1-2-3-4-5 for selecting this image to feature.
Allison Ashton
Enjoy the digital work in this image, the soft blur affect and rich color, Lovely work, Lianne!!
EMONA Art
Wonderful work, dear Lianne! The composition is so finely balanced, as well as the chromatic... Your historical themes are just great! LFG+
Debra and Dave Vanderlaan
A wonderful painterly piece Lianne! Love the action and presentation. We added our Like! Celebrate life, Debra and Dave
Chrisann Ellis
Lianne, I don't know how you do this Brilliant Work! You are so very talented and every time I think I seen your best, You create another Masterpiece my friend...WOW!! like.add.tweet
Lianne Schneider
My heartfelt thanks to Sandra and Darren for featuring this painting in their wonderful groups MEMORIES AND NOSTALGIA and PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXTURES MAKE FINE ART. And to everyone who has come by to leave a lovely note of encouragement, I cherish every word and I'm so grateful to each of you. If I haven't been by to visit your work to thank you in person yet, I will be soon!
Karen Slagle
Is this fabulous or what? I always love your art, LIanne, no one else can do it like you. f/l
Lianne Schneider
My most sincere thanks to the hosts of the groups listed to the right for honoring me by featuring this painting. Joseph, Nadine and Bob, it just means the world to me. And to each of you who have added a word of encouragement or praise, my heartfelt thanks. I'm a bit behind but I hope to visit each of you personally to thank you in that way as soon as possible. xo
Jack Zulli
Like how this image is worked along with containing an informative sidebar, well done;) v/L
Bob Orsillo
A visit to times past - beautifully done Lianne, what a time that must have been! L/F/T/G
Lianne Schneider
Joseph I'm so honored that you've chosen to feature this painting for your fabulous group - IMPRESSIONISM. That just means the world to me. Thank you.