Why swallow a silver bullet?

In 1777 the British put into action a plan to invade America from Canada, first chasing out the American troops besieging Quebec. General Burgoyne’s army was to fight its way to Albany and there to link up with the army under the command of General Howe moving up north from New York. In the event, General Howe decided to abandon the plan and instead to attack Philadelphia. He delegated the task of linking up with General Burgoyne to a small force under the command of General Clinton. Coincidenta...