Fogie, the present-day small city of Saratoga Springs is some miles to
the west of the battlefield Gerard ably describes.

The battlefield does, in fact, overlook the Hudson River. A portion, Bemis Heights, commands the river route south - hence its value to the American forces. It was the last, best place to block Burgoyne's march toward Albany NY. Find Schuylerville, NY on a map. The battlefield is just south of it.

Saratoga Springs has been a spa resort for over 150 years, famous for mineral springs and for horse racing. It is also the home of Skidmore College. I'm sure a Google search will fair bury you in Saratoga websites.It is now a recreational destination year-round, not just in flat-track season (which is now).

A site that should come up, BTW, is Caffe Lena, one of the oldest and best known folk and acoustic music and experimental theatre venues in the US. Just in case it doesn't, here it is: www.caffelena.com

I agree with Gerard about the sense of sacred ground. The Saratoga battlefield is just across the Hudson from Washington County, NY, an area still largely rural and very green. Like many other former battlefields, it is an uncommonly serene place.