Rare Revolutionary War Map of the Second Battle of Saratoga

"Plan of the Position Which the Army Under Lt. Genl. Burgoine Took at Saratoga on the 10th of September 1777 and in Which It Remained Till the Convention Was Signed", Smith, Charles

This rare map is a reduced version of William Faden's plan of the second Battle of Saratoga. The battle proved to be the demise of Lt. General Burgoyne’s campaign as the British troops surrendered to General Horatio Gates on October 17th, 1777. This major turning point strongly contributed to the formation of the Franco-American alliance, which eventually assured the success of the Americans. The map, with north oriented to the right, shows the British troops just north of Fish Kill. Gates' army is depicted on the south bank of Fish Kill while Dan Morgan’s riflemen are shown to the north and west of the British positions. Engraved by D. Martin.

Smith's edition of the plan is significant as it was the first to be published in the United States. Due to the ephemeral nature of Smith's Military Repository, this map is rarely found on the market.

References: cf. Nebenzahl (American Revolution) #23; Wheat & Brun #374.

Condition: B+

Issued folding, now flattened and backed in archival tissue, filling in the binding trim and repairing a short binding tear at bottom right. There is light soiling and foxing.