The Washingtonian., 1845-06-28
A SCENE OF THE REVOLUTION.
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.

General Burgoyne's progress towards Albany
was delayed through the want of speedy and
sufficient supply Of provisions. He considered
in what way the difficulty was to be surmount-
ed. According to information, the Americans
had great deposit Of corn, flour, and store cat
tie at Bennington, which was guarded only by
the militia. Every days account confirmed the
persuasion Of the loyalty of one description Of
inhabitants in that part of the country, and Of
the panic Of the other. He therefore enter
tanned the design Of surprising the stores at
Bennington, and Of sending very large detach.
ment upon the expedition but was diverted
from the latter Gas supposed) by Major Skeen,
who assured him, "The friends to the British
cause are as five to one. and they only want
the appearance of-a protecting power to show.
themselves" Relying upon their attachment,
the general sent the German Lieutenant Colo
mel Baum, with only about 500 men and 100
Indians, who carried with them two light pieces
Of artillery. To facilitate the operation, the
army moved along the east shore Of Hudson
river, and encamped nearly opposite to Sara
toga and bridge Of RATS being thrown over,
the advanced corps passed to that place. Lieu.
tanant Colonel Breyman's corps, consisting of
the Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry, and
chasseurs, were posted at Battenkil, in order,
if necessary, to support Baum. Stark, hearing
that a party Of Indians we're at Cambridge, sent
Lieutenant Colonel Gregg with 200 men to stop
their progress. Towards night he was inform
ed by an express that there was largo body
of regulars in the rear Of the Indians. On that
he drew together his brigade, and the militia
who were on hand, in order to stop their march;
sent to Manchester for Colonel Warmers regi-
ment, and forwarded expresses to the neigh
boring militia to join him with all speed. He
then marched, in the morning Of the 18th, with
Colonels Warner, Williams, and Brush, and the
men present, and in about seven miles met
Gregg retreating, and the enemy within mile
Of him. The troops drew up in order Of battle;
and the enemy, upon coming in sight, halted
upon very advantageous ground Baum, per-
ceiving that the Americans were too strong to
be attacked by his present force, sent an ex.
press to Burgoyne with an account Of his situ-
alton; and Breyman was Immediately despatch
ed to reinforce him. Meanwhile small parties
of the Americans skrmished with the enemy,
killed and wounded 80 Of them, with two Indian
chiefs, without any loss to themselves, which
had good effect upon their courage. The
ground Stark occupied not being suitable for a
general action, he retreated about mile and
encamped. In a council Of war, it was deter
mined to send two detachments into the ene-
my's rear, while the rest Of the troops attacked
in front.
On the 10Th Of August it rained all day, which
retarded the intended assault; however there
were frequent skirmishings in small parties.
The heavy rain, together with the badness of
the roads, prevented also Breyman's advancing
to Baum's assistance with despatch. The next
day, August 18th. Stark being joined in the
morning by Colonel Seymonds, from Berkshire,
pursued his plan. Baum, in the meanwhile,
had entrenched, and rendered his post as de-
fensible as time and it's nature would permit. |
Gen. Stark detached Nichols with his force to
the rear of his left; Colonel Henrick, with 300
men, was sent to the rear of his right; they
were to join and then attack. Warner, Hubbard,
and Stickney, with 200, were posted still fur
ther on his right. A hundred men were also
advanced towards his 'front.' to draw his atten- |
tion that NAV Ahout three o'clock in the af. |