John Burgoyne – January 29, 1777

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.

It’s January 29, 1777. I’m in New York with British General John Burgoyne.

JG: “General Burgoyne, why are you studying those maps of New England?”

JB: “Mr. Gillespie, I have a plan. I’m going to send three British armies on Albany, New York, and crush the Yankees. Once we control the Hudson River, we control Washington’s northern army and then we will take Philadelphia and your rebel Congress will beg for mercy.”

While Burgoyne’s strategy did cause serious suffering in New England, the Continental Army’s courage and faith helped them defeat the world’s most powerful army.

“While we remember that we are contending against brothers and fellow subjects, we must also remember that we are contending in this crisis for the fate of the British Empire.” – John Burgoyne

John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.

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