Essential Facts
- The Convention Army included 4,991 soldiers from Britain, Germany, and Canada, along with roughly 600 Camp Followers.
- According to the terms of the Saratoga Convention, they were supposed to be sent back to Europe.
- Congress refused to return them, and they were essentially held as prisoners of war.
- They were held in Boston and later moved to other locations to keep them from being rescued and reenlisted by the British.
- By the end of the war, the number of troops was reduced to about 2,500.
- Some of them stayed in America instead of returning to Europe, including German-speaking Hessians who remained in Pennsylvania.
Significance
The Convention Army is important to American History because Congress held it captive for nearly six years. Some criticized Congress for not honoring the terms of the Saratoga Convention. However, had it done so, most of the troops in the Convention Army would have reenlisted in the British Army and continued fighting.
History
Following their defeat at the Second Battle of Saratoga (Bemis Heights), British forces evacuated their positions near Freeman’s Farm on October 10, 1777, and started marching north toward Saratoga. American forces followed, surrounding the British by the time they reached Saratoga. On October 13, with his army nearly out of food, General John Burgoyne started negotiating terms of surrender with General Horatio Gates.
After several days of negotiations, the two agreed to the “Articles of Convention,” which stipulated that the majority of the people associated with Burgoyne’s Army would march to Boston, board ships, and return to Europe.
Surrender of the Convention Army at Saratoga
- The prisoners were called the Convention Army after the terms of their surrender.
- Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson made an official listing, or “return,” of the Army and recorded 4,991 individuals.
- The return listed 2,139 British, 2,022 Germans, and 830 Canadians.
- Terms required the soldiers to lay down their arms.
- The soldiers would march to Boston and then board ships back to Europe.
- The surrendered troops promised not to serve again in North America during the war.
Controversy Over Convention Army’s Return to Britain
The Articles of Convention were controversial. General George Washington and the Second Continental Congress questioned whether the British would abide by the terms. Further, the Articles did not prevent the soldiers in the Convention Army from being replaced once they returned to their homes.
The Convention Army in Boston
The Convention Army was escorted to Cambridge, Massachusetts, by armed American troops commanded by General John Glover.
The first delay in sending the troops to Europe was caused by General William Howe, the commander-in-chief of British forces. He wanted the troops taken to a British-controlled port, like New York City or Newport, Rhode Island. However, the members of the Second Continental Congress suspected he would ignore the Convention and enroll the prisoners in his forces.
- After arriving in Boston, the Army lived in barracks built during the Siege of Boston.
- Burgoyne wrote to Gates, complaining about inadequate quarters for his officers and accusing him of violating the Convention.
In the 1930s, a letter validating Congress’s concerns was found in General Henry Clinton’s personal collection. General Howe had written the letter and sent it to General Burgoyne. Howe informed Burgoyne that he intended to have the Convention Army picked up in Boston and transported to New York instead of England. Upon arrival, the troops would be reenlisted or exchanged for British officers and soldiers held captive by the Americans.
Congress Blocks the Departure
Meanwhile, Congress appointed a committee to find ways to delay returning the Convention Army to Europe over concerns that Burgoyne would not abide by the terms. Congress justified this by arguing that Burgoyne’s troops had not surrendered all their arms, which was a violation of the terms.
In late December, British transport ships arrived off the coast. However, they were not allowed to enter Boston Harbor. On December 27, 1777, Congress voted to suspend the Articles of Convention. It wanted the British government to ratify the terms, requiring it to recognize the independent United States.
General Henry Clinton received written orders from King George III, giving him permission to ratify the Convention. Congress believed it was a ruse and demanded testimony from a witness who had seen the King sign the orders. In the meantime, the members of the Convention Army were essentially prisoners of war.
While Congress waited for confirmation of the King’s signature, some soldiers escaped. By January 1778, the Convention Army was reduced to just over 3,000. On April 5, General Burgoyne and two officers returned to England. By the fall, the Convention Army was becoming too much of a strain on Boston, and it was moved to Rutland, Massachusetts.
Relocation to Charlottesville
In November, Congress decided to move the Convention Army to Albemarle Barracks in Charlottesville, Virginia — 700 miles south. This location was chosen because it was remote, and Congress believed the soldiers would not be able to escape and rejoin the British Army. Theodorick Bland oversaw the march.
- The Army marched through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland to Charlottesville.
- As the Army made its way through Pennsylvania’s German-speaking areas, more Hessian soldiers deserted. Many of them decided to remain in Pennsylvania instead of returning to Europe.
- The march lasted 12 weeks and was made during harsh winter conditions.
- Family members, including Baroness Frederika Riedesel and her three daughters, also ensured the condition. They were the family of General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, a Hessian soldier.
Up to this point, the British government was paying to house and feed the Convention Army. While the Army was at Charlottesville, the government decided to stop paying, leaving the people to fend entirely for themselves. Although some officers were paroled or exchanged at Charlottesville, those who remained were able to take care of themselves and were supported by Americans living in the area.
Final Years of the War
After Charleston surrendered to the British in May 1780, Congress was concerned that enemy forces moving into the area could free the Convention Army. By this time, only about 2,600 people were left.
- The remaining Convention Army troops were moved to Winchester, Virginia, and later to Frederick, Maryland.
- In the summer of 1781, they were relocated north to prevent possible rescue by British forces led by Banastre Tarleton and John Graves Simcoe.
- Some of the prisoners were moved to Easton, Pennsylvania, while others returned to Rutland, Massachusetts.
- By the war’s end, the Army’s numbers had fallen to around 2,500 due to death, desertion, paroles, and exchanges.
- Although most returned to Europe after the war, a few soldiers chose to remain in America.
