Members of the British House of Commons were no whit behind the Americans in attacking him.

Burke amused the House by his satire on Burgoyne's words: "My gentle lions, my humane bears, my tenderhearted hyenas, go forth! But I exhort you, as you are Christians and members of civilized society, to take care not to hurt any man, woman, or child." Burke's great speech lasted for three and a half hours and Sir George Savile called it "the greatest triumph of eloquence within memory." British officers disliked their dirty, greasy, noisy allies and Burgoyne found his use of savages, with the futile order to be merciful, a potent factor in his defeat.
A horrifying incident had occurred while he was fighting his way to the Hudson.

As the Americans were preparing to leave Fort Edward some marauding Indians saw a chance of plunder and outrage.

They burst into a house and carried off two ladies, both of them British in sympathy--Mrs.
McNeil, a cousin of one of Burgoyne's chief officers, General Fraser, and Miss Jeannie McCrae, whose betrothed, a Mr.Jones, and whose brother were serving with Burgoyne.

In a short time Mrs.McNeil was handed over unhurt to Burgoyne's advancing army.