Who did The Continental Congress proclaimed the hero at Saratoga was?

General Horatio Howe (Gates) got the credit, but it was really Benedict Arnold. Before his defection to the British, Arnold was a courageous and skilled commander. A sad turnabout. Since he deserted, his monuments have been stripped and public praise stifled, but during the month-long campaign that is referred to as The Battle of Saratoga, he twice won decisive battles, once by cunning and once by conspicuous bravery. The second time, at the battle of Bemis Heights, during a charge so heroic it was practically suicidal, his horse was shot out from under him, crushing his leg. During that battle his troops killed five times the number of Burgoyne's troops than he lost.

It was probably the feud with Howe that ultimately caused him to defect. Arnold was too proud, too unforgiving, too arrogant to stay in the chain of command with a general he thought inferior to himself.

One note: The Battle of Saratoga was commemorated with a Day of Thanksgiving, Dec. 18, 1777, the first holiday thus named.