On October 7 , 1777 , Burgoyne 's army attempted to sweep around the American army in a last - ditch effort to escape from being surrounded .
An American counterattack led by General Horatio Gates successfully surrounded the British Army .
On October 7 , 1777 , Burgoyne 's army attempted to sweep around the American army in a last - ditch effort to escape from being surrounded , but an American counterattack led by General Horatio Gates successfully surrounded the British Army .