Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-18

A~HN iSt wiz A1ce oiApJ JOaio' IaoiA ''S
stances above related, "the Caue,'' became .
place Of great notoriety, and of frequent resort
at that period, although now it seems to DO al
most unknown and forgotten, -
From the Cincinnati s7an~.
y BATTLE OF BEsNINGron.
-. 4 When Yankees skilled ii aartial rule, i.
RI First put the British troops to school
Instructed them in warlike trade,
Aud new manoeuvres Of parade,
The true war.danee Of Yankee reels
And manual exercise Of heels
Made them give up like saints complete
The arms of flesh, and take to feet
And work like Christians understanding,
Salvation out with fear and trembling"
John Stark, the hero of Bennington, was a
native of New Hampshire. At an early age he
enlisted in company of Rangers, participated
in several conflicts with the saVages, and at last
fell into their hands, prisoner Of war. Re-
deemed by his friends for one hundred and three
dollars, he joined Rogers Rangers and served
with distinction through the French and In
dian difficulty. When the news came to his
quiet home that American blood had been split
on the green at Lexington, he rallied his coun-
trymsn and hurried on to Boston, with eight
hundred brave mountaineers. He presented him
self before the American commander on the eve
of the battle of Bunker Hill, and receiving
Colonels commission, instantly hurried to the
entertainments.
Throughout the battle Of Bunker Hill, Stark
and his New Hampshire men nobly sustained the
honor of the patriot cause, and no troops ex'
ceeded in bravery the militia regiment of Col.
John Stark In the spring of l7l6 he went to
Canada, and at the battle of Trenton comman-
ded the right wing Of Washington army He
was at Princeton, Bennington, and several other
severe battles, always sustaining his reputation
as "a brave, honorable, sterling patriot, and an
able general He was great favorite of Gen.
Washington, and very popular in the army. on
the 9th of May, 1922, aged ninety-three years,
he was gathered to his fathers and his re-
mains repose upon the banks of the beautiful
Merrimao, beneath granite monument. which
bears the inscription, "MAJoK-GEsERAL STARK. :"
Having given very brief sketch Of the cele-
brated officer who led our patriot militia upon
tho field of Bennington, we will proceed wish
our account of that battle.
The magnificent army of General Burgoyne, =,
which invaded the State in l777, having become
straig htened for provisions and stores. the royal
commander ordered halt, and sent Col. Baum,
a Hessian officer, to scour the country for sup
plies. Baum took strong force of British in.
fansry, two pieces of artillery, and squadron
of heavy German Dragons. A great body of
Indians, hired and armed by the British, fol-
lowed his force, or acted as scouts and hanking
parties,
Stark, at the intelligence Of Burgoynes inva-
sion was offered the command of troops which
, were raised in New Hampshire, through the ex-
ertions, chiefly, of John Langdon, Speaker of
the General Assembly. Stark had served for
+ long period as General, but at that time was at
home, private citizen. But at the call of his
i. countrymen he again took the field. The two
: regiments we're soon raised, and with them, as
senior officer, Stark hastened to oppose the Brit
h ish army. At this time the Vermont militia
h were enrolled into an organization called the
" Berkshire regiment" under Col. Warner.
d On arriving near Bennington, Stark sent for
. ward Col. Gregg, with small force, to recon
noitre, but that officer soon returned with in
formation that strong force of British, Hos
], slams and Indians was rapidly approaching, On
= this intelligence, Stark resolved to stand his
. ground and give battle. Messengers were sem
/. at once to the Berkshire militia to hurry on ant
q the patriots wero directed 70 see that theil
% weapons were in good order. This was on th'
# 14th of August, l777 During the day Baum
b and bis army appeared, and learning that th'
!. militia were collecting in front Of his route, the
IS commander ordered bis army to halt and throw
= up entrenchnents. An express was also sent t.
l. Gen. Burgoyne for reiuforcements. sg
!, The 18th was dull and rainy. Boths Armies
d continued their preparations, while waiting fol
r renforcements. Skirmishing was kept up al
Is day and night between the militia and Indians
,s and the letter suffered so severely that grea
proportion of the savage force left the field, say
If ing that !" the wood was full Of Yankees" Al
p about IL o'closk, on the night of the 18th.
|. party of Berkshire militia came into the Amer
Ie lean camp. Heading one company was the Rev
J. Mr.. Allen, of Pittsfeld, and that worthy gen
Of tleman appeared full Of zeal to meet the enemy
|. Sometime before daylight he called on Genera
,- Stark and said General, the people Of Berk
h shire county have often been called out withou
t being allowed to fight, and if you don't Civ
10 them chance now they have resolved never Il
ID turn out again" I" Very well, " replied Stark
,d " do you want to 90 at it now while it is dar!
q and rainy " No, not just at this minute,
= replied the warlike minister. Then, salt
!. Stark 4" If the Lord shall once more give tn
N sunshine, and do not give fighting enough, II
IN never ask you to come out again" This salts
CO fed the preacher, and he went out to cheer VI
al his flock with the good news.
us Day dawned bright and warm, on the l4th
,d All nature, invigorated by the mild August rail-
n, gIowsd with beauty and freshness. Before sun
,ir rise the Americans were in motion, while fror
I'd the British entrsnchmepts the sound OF bugle
,s. and tho roll Of druus, told that Bsum'e force