Should the forces of Britain die down, they had plenty more to draw from. Should their artillery begin to diminish it could easily be replaced as there were numerous financial resources. Continuing with the Continental Army, that which almost perished during the winters, there were more problems rather than just needing more soldiers. There was a certain lack of organization that said, "We"re new at this." The Continental Army was recruiting just about anyone that would join, and in many cases had to bargain the service for future grants of land and money. To counter that, the northern colonies had gained their first experiences during the French-Indian war a few years earlier. Again, organization was not always present. .
On the British side, one would expect, having gained experience through many years of wars, that the forces would be well organized. Organized as it may have been, communication broke every now and then and it was specifically this that allowed for the first American victory. Lord North had placed down the strategy for the British forces and having achieved with all their attempts so far, thought nothing of finishing his isolation of New England. He had planned to place a strong army under General Burgoyne who would then move the army down the Lake Champlain route to Albany, where it would join up with Howe's force from New York City. Howe had decided to do otherwise and failed to tell anyone - he left 3000 troops under General Clinton in New York City and personally led the main British force in an attack on Philadelphia. Not only was the main british force divided, therefore weakened, but none of it had been sent to the north. The overconfidence placed on the British generals was purely detrimental. The battles had been won so far, but only because of this one mistake the tables would turn.
It was after the Battle of Saratoga that the French, who had been sitting on the sidelines cheering for the American, decided to form a treaty of alliance.
