In 1777, British General John Burgoyne led an invasion from Canada to seize control of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain corridor. By August, he had advanced to the Hudson River and decided to continue south by crossing from the east to the west bank on his way to Albany. From the west side, his army would have access to a better road and a path toward decisive battles with the Rebel army. Because the British carried an enormous amount of equipment, Burgoyne ordered a bridge of boats built across the Hudson by lashing bateaux side by side, covering them with planks, and anchoring them to both shores. Heavy rains broke the bridge apart and briefly split his army on both sides of the river, but repairs were made, and on September 10 Burgoyne’s men left headquarters at the Duer House in Fort Miller and began their advance toward destiny. Visible cuts in the riverbank to the north may mark where the troops reached the bridge.