Burgoyne’s Defeat: Surrender Site

"We passed the hostile camp, in which all the regiments and all the artillery were drawn up under arms. Not one of them [the American troops] was properly uniformed, but each man had on the clothes in which he goes to field, to church or to the tavern, but they stood like soldiers, erect with a military bearing which was subject to little criticism. All their guns were provided with bayonets and the riflemen had rifles. The people stood so still that we were greatly amazed. Furthermore, nature had formed all the fellows who stood in rank and file, so slender, so handsome, so sinewy, that it was a pleasure to look at them and we were all surprised at the sight of such a finely built people. And their size! The officers wore very few uniforms and those they did wear were of their own invention. All colors of cloth are usable, e.g. brown coats with sea green facings, white linings and silver trimmings, and grey coats in abundance, with buff facings and cuffs, and gilt buttons; in short, every variety of pattern. I must still say there was not a man among them who showed the slightest sign of mockery, malicious delight, hate, or other insult. It seemed rather as if they wished to do us honor. "