15. The direct shipment to New Hampshire aided in the victory at Saratoga
Washington’s army was in the vicinity of Philadelphia through most of 1777. The bulk of the supplies which arrived in New Hampshire went to the Northern Army under the command of Philip Schuyler and later Horatio Gates. The army under Gates’ command was well supplied and clothed during the Saratoga Campaign, supported by excellent artillery provided by the French. It was the most visible support during the period of covert French aid, under the guise of Hortalez et Cie. Washington’s army also benefited, through supplies routed by the company through St. Eustatius. He was encouraged to mount an offensive action at Germantown.
Washington’s attack at Germantown failed, but it led to a change in official French policy. That the Americans carried out two major campaigns during the summer of 1777 impressed the French, particularly Vergennes. The surrender of the British Army at Saratoga, coupled with Washington’s aggression at Germantown, was enabled by the French supplies routed to America through Hortalez et Cie. It is often said that Saratoga was the turning point of the war because it encouraged the French to enter it on the side of the revolutionaries. In truth, France was in the war from its inception. Saratoga encouraged them to shift to overt support, and recognize American independence.