On September 19, 1777 Burgoyne attacked Freeman's farm. He saw just how strong the Americans were. Later, his fellow officers suggested retreat, but he thought that that was too disgraceful. He then went to New York in desperation to resupply but, the supply ships never came. This came as a major blow to Burgoyne and his troops. In an attempt to get around the Americans, Burgoyne triggered a second battle, the battle of Bemis Heights. After that costly skirmish, he had not only lost men, he had lost precious rations and the most costly of all, his pride.Burgoyne's troops suffered heavy losses, that they could not afford. The British then retreated to Saratoga and were besieged by the patriots. On October 17 General Burgoyne suffered a large embarrassment, and was forced to surrender nearly 6,000 of his men to the patriots.