chapter 413

1/23/2016

Turning Points

they are everywhere

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. But which fork?

When I met this beautiful Russian Spy, Colleen, I thought she was "just a neighbor". Had no idea the many facets of her life. Thought she would enjoy this (free) ride through Saratoga National Battlefield since she is also a re-enactor actor for WW2. She started out as a Russian Sniper in the Catskills but has moved on to become a German Nurse, more in tune with her real occupation. We are doing one in the Adirondacks in Feb.

These lovely Percherons are the same French breed of horses that Dad and Grandpa worked on their Virgil farm. Our team this day came from nearby Mariaville.

They seemed to have a sweet disposition and our driver would talk to them during our journey. Each would shake his head when he heard his name. This 16 year old Amish horse, Bob, didn't mind his picture being taken while his buddy, a 6 year old, seemed more shy. Dad was always disgusted when he was talking about plowing with these stubborn critters.

We were pretty chilled after the wagon ride in probably zero wind chill but the re-enactors were just beginning to fire so we stayed outside a bit before sampling the (free) hot chocolate at the outdoor tent. The 6 pounder French Cannon replica froze up and only one musket fired here. A good photographer has to be quick on the trigger finger.

The historical significance of the Battle of Saratoga Oct 1777 is that it was considered a turning point of our American Revolutionary War. The bad guys' Burgoyne surrendered to our commander Gates. But there were many turning points.

Tangible or visual aides help tell a story or his-story. I photographed two well done three dimensional models at the visitor center. [Their main room size geographic model with fiber optic battle locations was such a dreadfully and typically boring bureaucratic history presentation with tedious over-kill details that it lost all of it's effectiveness.]

My photo simply shows the overwhelming force of Americans led by then heroic Benedict Arnold approaching to conquer the British forces (one third were hired German Hessian mercenaries). 

This model was only a few feet wide but they had done a nice job showing the details of how tedious it was to reload black powder flintlocks of the day.

Daniel Morgan's militia from Virginia and Pennsylvania used sneaky guerrilla tactics that the Brits distained. These riflemen had more accurate shooting equipment with rifling grooves inside the barrels rather than the smooth bore muskets of most of the other troops including the regulars of the American Continental Army.

Reverse segue to General Washington: Passage of the Delaware from the Boston MFA. Sully painted it 17 feet wide for the North Carolina State House. It didn't fit anywhere so they refused to buy it, it went to a Boston guy and ended up at the Museum. Beautiful.

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