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Collection Reference Number GLC04764.83
From Archive Folder Burgoyne-Kingston collection: papers concerning Convention Army after Saratoga 
Title Burgoyne's Lamentation, At his surrender to the American army, under General Gates
Date ca. October 1777
Document Type Broadside
Content Description Nine stanza poem printed in Boston. Each stanza has eight lines and follows an "aabbccdd" pattern of rhyme. This broadside is the seventh edition. Date is estimated as around the end of the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, but it could be later than that given this is the seventh edition. Told from the point of view of British General John Burgoyne while he is surrounded by American forces. Burgoyne sends his lamentations to the Greek goddess Diana in the poem. First stanza mentions that earlier American generals made Burgoyne overconfident of an easy victory. Poem goes into Burgoyne's arrogance of British victory over the "yankes." Admits that "You gentleman all, think of it as you will, / We Britons have us'd the Americans ill; / And for this reason we are brought into thrall / And never shall prosper in this war at all;" Ends with the statement that the ancient gods cannot help him and that he will have to beg for mercy from General Gates. Paper was folded at one time and creases and wrinkles can still be seen. A few slight discolorations as well.
Subjects Religion  Revolutionary War  Revolutionary War General  Military History  Battle  Battle of Saratoga  Convention Army  Prisoner of War  Poetry  Art, Music, Theater, and Film  Classical World and Ancient Civilization  Global History and Civics  Foreign Affairs  
People Burgoyne, John (1722-1792)  
Place written Boston, Massachusetts
Theme The American Revolution; Arts & Literature
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859