By setting his sights on Pennsylvania, Howe had missed the opportunity to cut off the American colonies in two by coordinating operations with General John Burgoyne in the north.
In the north, General John Burgoyne was marching down the Hudson valley towards Albany with 5,000 men while in the south Howe's army controlled New York City and its surroundings.
General John Burgoyne (24 February 1722 – 4 August 1792) was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, most notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762.