Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1842-06-09
From the Vermont Patriot.
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.
LkNGpoN AND sTARKE.


The iclltnaiag, politely furnished us.by HEN
RY STEVENS, Esq, of Barnet, President of the
Vermont Antiquarian Society, cannot fail to in
tercst our readers and the publlc-the descend
ants of Allen and Warner, Langdon and Starke.
They serve to keep in remembrance the heroic
achievements and patriotic sacrifices OF our har
DIV and chvalrous ancestors:
The following anecdote of JOHN LANGDON ai-
fords noble example of the patriotism of that de-
voted friend of American Independence, at this
hour of trial and danger The Provincial Leg
islature was in session at Exeter, when the appal-
ling news of the fall of Ticonderoga arrived
The members of that body were disheartened !;
the public credit exhausted; there were no
means to subsist even ii single regiment, provid-
ed one could be raised. The men of New Hamp-
shire had already credited themselves to the ex-
tent of their ability. John Langdon was, at that
time, Speaker of the Assembly, and addressed
the House as follows -
Il have three thousand dollars in hard money
| will pledge my plate for three thousand more
] have seventy hogsheads of robago rum, which
shall be sold for the most it will bring. These
are at the service of the State. If we succeed
in defending our ire-sides and homes | may be
remunerated; if we do not, the property will be
of no value to me. Our old friend Starke, who
so nobly maintained the honor of our State at
Bunker Hill, may safely be trusted with the con-
duct of the enterprise; and we will check the
progress of Burgoyne"
This noble proposal infused new life into the
assembly; and III a few days, by means of the
private funds furnished by John Langdon, Bril-
gade was assembled and on its march for the
frontiers. To John Langdon, do we owe the raj
sing and sustaining of this gallant army of free
men; and to John Starke, who knew no person
al c,or bn III dol the
hurry and confusion of the combat, as wher
ploughing his acres at home, do we owe the a
chevemen of one of the most brilliant exploits
which grace the pages of American history.
The following letter, from General Starke t,
General Gates, contains the best account OF thu
battle we have ever seen -
Bennington, Aug. %, A ID. I777.
DEAR GENERAL,-Yours Of the 10Th was re
ceyed with pleasure, and should have answer
ed it sooner, but have been very unwell eve
since General Lincoln has written YOU upon tn
subject with whom most cordially concur in q
pinion.
will now give you a short account of the &C
ton near this place on the 18th of Aug BEN
informed that party of Indians were at Can
bridge, on their way to this place, | detache
Lieut.. Colonel Gregg with 900 men, to oppos
them and in the night was informed that a larg
body of the enemy we're advancing in their rea
| rallied my Brigade, sent orders TO Col Warne
whose regiment lay at Manchester, and also, a
express to the militia TO come in with all speed
our assistance, which orders were promptly
beyed We then marched with our collecte
force in quest Of the enemy, and after procee
ING five miles, we met Gregg in full retreat Il
enemy being within mile Of him. Our lit
army was Immediately drawn up in order for ba
tie, upon sight of which, the British halted al