Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-08
SCENES OF THE REVOLUTION.
BATTLE ov nexNspcrox.

SCENES OF TIE REVOLUTION.
BATTLE ov RexNsncr ox.
The anniversay &c tie Rssfie Of Bennineto.
Vas ccietrsied - WiIliasnseoww, Msss. az. the
i6sh siI The following historical skssrh Of
mat imPort.ae aeticn, u copied from the Asiyo-
cate, PubiisA in ,Ass place.
Perhaps no battle in the whole revo-
dictionary struggle, had . greater or
more ss'uiary eject in paving the way
to our Independence, than the one now
under contemplatiou. a large British
army. with powerful feet, was .ta.
toned at New York, while General
burgoyne, eth 10000 men, was de-
so'ating osr northern Grestier, end con-
fidentfy espscting to march without 90.
rious opposition through the very heart
OF the country. The natives Of Europe
all stood aloof. and refused to aid with
sh'ps er money those whom they ex.
peefsd soon TO- see convicted, by dint
OF strength. OF treason and rebellion.
Our own citizens we're gloomy and dis
P'r'ted, and having never been in mil
itary service. il 10 no woeder thar the
hearts OF the stouiest were moved 9th
terror st the report Of British arms
They were determined, hove ever. NOT
to resign their just rights without .
struggle, and accordingly made como
hasty preparations for cell -defence and
Tor annoying the enemy, the success of
which we shalt detail, nearly in the
words Of history.
General Burgoyne. having advanced
with has army to within few milea Of
w aterford, despatched Col. Baum.
win party of men, to obtain provis.
ions, and ~ che inhabitants Of Ben.
nington then (as we'll ~ now) had a
more abundant supply than any other
town. IL Is not surprising that they
shoold receive the frst visit from the
royal troops. 1t was . provideo,ial
circumstance that General Stark vas
at Bennington with 500 militia, . con.
siderable part Of whom we're farmers
from this county. He advanced TO.
wards the enemy to rsconnoitre. and
some skirmishing took place, in which
thirty British and two Indian Chief.
we're killed and wounded. Col. Baum
became alarmed at his situation. and
despatched messenger to the main
army TOR reinforcement. The next
day, being the 18th Of August. was ve-
~ ra'ny, and but little was done ON
either side. On the 10th, General
Stark. assisted by Colonel Warner.
divided his troops into three divisions.
and ordered Col. Nichols, With ESQ
men, to gain the rear Of the left wing
OF the enemy, and Col. Hendrick. the
rear OF their right wing With 500 men,
while he attacked their front. The
indians, alarmed at the appearance Of
being surrounded, endcavoured to
make their escape in = single file be-
tween the two parties, and General
Stark taking advantage Of this circum.
stance, made furious onset in front.
which was ably seconded by his coai.
tutors, and a general conflict ensued.
which continued about two hours
Col. Baum had nearly twice the mum.
Der Of our men, and Was defended by
breast works, but the impetuosity Of
the American militia wss irresistible.
and the victory on our part was COM
piese. This Was no sooner accom-
plisheds thao the reinforcement sent
Tor by Col. Baum, Consisting Of 1000
German troops, arrived. The American
troops were now scattered abroad,
some attending the wounded, some
guarding the prisoners. some 10 pur-
suit Of plunder, and all exhausted by
extreme hVDger and fatigue. AZ this
critical moment, Col. Warmers resi-
ment arrived, aud the others being raj
tied, the whole were ordered 20 adj
vance. a held piece. which had been
taken IN the forenoon, Was drawn 10
the scene Of action; but the men hav-
lng seldom seen q cannon, knew noe
how to lead IL, and General Stark dis-
mounted and taught them. by loading
and firing it several times With his own
hands. The action, which vas very
severe, continued till near night. when
the British again gave gay, leaving
934 Of their men dead on the field. ar
10 the hands Of their Yankes conquer.
"rs, together with 1000 stand Of stms.
Z brass field pieces, $50 swords, 8
- A