This is a Virtual cache; nothing physical has been hidden at this location. This virtual cache is comprised of 2 parts, the Saratoga Monument and the adjacent Victory Woods. Both areas are open dawn to dusk, so please do not visit at night.
Saratoga Monument
The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga is known as the Turning Point of the American Revolution. It "boosted American patriot morale and brought vital international aid. This paved the way to winning American independence". (https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/saratoga-monument.htm)
The Saratoga Monument is a 155-foot tall stone obelisk that commemorates this victory. The exterior of the monument features 4 niches, one at each compass point, which contain life-size sculptures of key American leaders. On the East side is General Philip Schuyler. To the North you can see General Horatio Gates. Facing the West is Colonel Daniel Morgan. There is also a niche for General Benedict Arnold; where could he be?
The monument itself is open Saturdays and Sundays between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, from 9:30 am to 4:45 pm. At these times, you can go inside and climb the 188 stairs to the top. To complete this virtual cache you do not need to go inside the monument, nor even visit at these times. However, I highly recommend that you do so if you can, as it is quite an experience.
Victory Woods
Victory Woods is the site of the final encampment of the British troops prior to General Burgoyne's October 17, 1777 surrender. The history, as explained by the National Parks website (https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/victory-woods.htm):
In 1777, the British planned to crush American resistance in the Revolutionary War by marching an army south from Canada to Albany, NY, sweeping all opposition in their path. They almost succeeded, but were stopped in the Battles of Saratoga just 7 miles south of Victory Woods. Beaten in battle, the British hoped to escape back to Canada with the remnants of their army.
Retreating north to this area (present-day villages of Victory and Schuylerville), they halted and built defenses for protection against the pursuing American army. Surrounded, starved, exhausted, and outnumbered 3 to 1, the British surrendered on October 17, 1777.
Here, in Victory Woods, is where the largest part of that army made its last stand. For one week British and loyalist American men, women, and children suffered helplessly in the filth of cold mud, excrement, and dead animals. They had little to eat and no hope of getting home.
The American victory at Saratoga was not an ordinary one—it completely changed the nature of the Revolutionary War in favor of the United States, which finally won its fight for independence in 1783.
Victory Woods can be accessed by following the trail through the neighboring cemetery. The trail starts at the back of the monument, by the Victory Woods sign pictured above. The other option is to skip the trail through the cemetery and drive around to the other parking area (see waypoint below). When visiting Victory Wods, please be sure to stay on the marked trail / boardwalk.
TO LOG THIS VIRTUAL YOU MUST DO BOTH A and B below:
A. With your log, post a picture of you (or your GPS or a TB) pointing to the niche for whichever American commander is your favorite (of the 4). It is not a requirement that your face be in the picture.
B. Email me the answers to the questions below. The answers can be found on informational plaques in Victory Woods.
1. How many remnants have archeologists found from the 2,500 British soldiers camped here?
2. How many cannon, mortars, and howitzers did General Burgoyne bring on his expedition?
3. When Burgoyne has hopelessly surrounded, how long would the British army's food last?
4. Burgoyne bet a friend that he would return home triumphant in a year. How much did he wager?
5. For the loyalists who left early, where did they go and how long did it take them to get there?
Please note that there will be no armchair logging, or "previous visit" logging allowed for this cache. You will have one week from the time that you post your find to email me the correct answers or your log will be deleted. Logs revealing any of the answers will also be deleted.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.