Breaking Convention: How a Fussy Detail about British Uniforms Doomed Burgoyne's Army to Captivity

Saratoga National Historical Park

When Burgoyne’s army surrendered at Saratoga, the agreement was that they could return to Europe. But Congress intervened, claiming that Burgoyne broke the deal himself by not surrendering all the stuff he was supposed to. Or did he? This program examines how a tiny uniform detail broke our nation's first treaty.

Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer has called Saratoga National Historical Park home for more than two decades. Eric’s immense knowledge of military history and 18^th century material culture, which have made him one of the foremost experts on the Saratoga Campaign, come together perfectly in this talk.