south from the British province of Quebec. After his early success at Ticonderoga, his campaign become bogged down in logistical difficulties, not reaching Saratoga, New York, until mid-September. Burgoyne held expectations that his campaign would be supported by military forces based in New York City under the command of General William Howe and that the forces would meet at Albany, about south of Saratoga. Apparently as result of poor communications with Lord Germain, Britain's Secretary of State for the Colonies and the political official in charge of the conflict, General Howe decided instead to attempt the capture of Philadelphia and sailed south with much of his army in July, leaving Sir Henry Clinton in command at New York. Howe's instructions to General Clinton were primarily to hold New York City and to only engage in offensive operations that were consistent with that goal. His instructions to Clinton on July 30 included a promise that reinforcements would arrive (but without any promised time) and that Clinton should consider making a move "in favor or General Burgoyne's approaching Albany, with security to Kingsbridge" if the opportunity presented itself. A letter from Howe reached Burgoyne on August 3 informing him of his move to Philadelphia and of Clinton's instructions. Clinton wrote a letter on September 12 (received by Burgoyne on September 21, after the Battle of Freeman's Farm) that he would "make a push at [Fort] Montgomery in about ten days" if "you think 2000 men can assist you effectually". Prelude Forces Forces involved in the battle were: British forces (detachment) 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons 7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers) 17th Regiment of Foot 26th Regiment of Foot 52nd Regiment of Foot 57th Regiment of Foot 63rd Regiment of Foot Company, 1st Battalion, 71st Regiment of Foot German forces Grenadier Company, 1st Anspach-Beyreuth Regiment Regiment von Trumbach (Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel) Colonial forces Loyal American Regiment Emmerich's Chasseurs New York Volunteers King's American Regiment King's Orange Rangers American defenses The highland region of the Hudson River valley (near West Point) was defended by Continental Army troops and state militia under the command of Major General Israel Putnam, who was based at Peekskill. Several miles upriver from Peekskill, just above the Popolopen Gorge where Popolopen Creek enters the Hudson, the Americans had placed a chain across the Hudson to prevent British naval vessels from sailing further upriver. The chain's western end was guarded