Eastern times., 1855-10-25

champions OF Vermont must make stand, or
all seemed lost. The inhabitants of Benning-
ton awaited the result with intense solicitude.
Women might then be seen yoking oxen to the
carts, and bringing .out their effects to prepare
for hasty flight, should their husbands and
brave sons be unable to stop the foe. The
families living near the battle-ground had to
cross the Walloomoc river, then greatly
swollen by recent rains, on horses which swan
back and forth in one instance brave woman
mounting an unbroken colt in the urgency of
the case. Along the road from Bennington to
Williamstown, carts were seen half loaded, or
slowly dragging along after the oxen, it being
supposed that successful stand would at all
events be made before Foh Hoosick, which
stood a little beyond Wiliamstown. In one
case, mother rode on horse back from Ben
nington TO this place of refuge, with two chill
dren mounted beside her, while girl of eleven
years went along on foot On reaching Will
Jamestown, these fugitives found the people as
sembled at the Westinghouse to offer their
prayers for the success of their fighting kin
dred. iit
But the means of averting the impending
disaster we're altogether inadequate Indeed,
we wonder that with such scanty materials for
war, the Americans could hope to resist the
overpowering forces of the enemy. The New
Hampshire Council, who were relied upon to
provide the necessary stores and arms, found
themselves in most fearful state of destitu-
tuition. Kettles and cooking utensils were
wanting. OF scanty supply ofpowder which
they possessed, many barrels had been con-
his headquarters on the Connecticut, 'We
are detained by the want of bullet-moulds, as
there is but one pair in town, and the few balls
sent on by the Council go but little way
Surgical instruments, tents, axes, canteens,
&C., were pitifully scarce.
But brave men make their own resources,
and bear down difficulties with incredible sue
cess. The secret of the result is sufficiently
indicated in the patriotic speech of John Lang
don, speaker of the New Hampshire Legisla-
ture. Il have said he, 'three Thousand dol
lars in hard money | will pledge my plate
for three thousand more. l have seventy
hogsheads of Tobago rum, which shall be sold
for the most it will bring. These are at the
service of the state. If we succeed in defend
ing our iresides and homes, may be remun-
Grated; if not, the property will be of no value
TO me-
The pulpit, too, did its part 10 compensate
the want of means, by iron courage and mill
tary enthusiasm. General Stark had no
sooner brought his brave 'boys to look the en-
emy in the face at Bennington, then 10 ! Par
son Allen appears with his heroic parishion-
ers, whom he had accompanied all The way
from Pittsfeld. Nor was he only praying
and preaching chaplain. The parson was so
much afraid that the Berkshire militia would
not have chance to try their valor, that he
came to Stark before daylight, in drenching
rain, and said, General. the people of Berk-
shire have often been summoned to the field
without being allowed to fight and if you do
not give them chance, they have resolved
never 10 come out again. Stark replied, IF
the Lord shall once more give us sunshine,
and do not give you fighting enough, I'll
never ask you TO come out again.
On the morning of the battle, the chaplain
prayed that God would teach their hands to
war, and their fingers to fight = he then ad-
vanced between the lines, and called upon the
enemy to prevent the shedding of blood by lay
ing down their arms. Being answered by
shower of bullets which riddled the log on
which he stood, he turned 10 friend and cool
ly said, Now give me gun' and thus the
Pitts6eld Parson fired the first gun from the
American side at the battle of Bennington.
The British forces were amply strong for
the victory; both by advantage of position and
possession of field pieces, if not by numbers,
they were entitled TO the field. But Baum's
contempt for the Vermont militia, and his con-
ceit that they were coming only to surrender,
betrayed him into all the disasters of the day.
There are your enemies said Stark to his
men, 'the red coats and tories we must have
them in half an hour, or this night my wife
sleeps widow =
The fearless army of Stark made short work
of fulfilling the happier alternative of their
leaders, prophecy. Everything gave way be-
fore them. The engagement became general
at once.
The cannon's roar through the valleys of
the Walloomsoc and Hoosic, thrilled the hearts
of mothers and children, until the distant ech-
oes rolled back from Greylock into the meet
ing house at Williamstown.
How heavily those reports of deadly shot
must have fallen upon the ears of the defence
less, as they awaited the result in speechless
suspense Onward swept the tide of battle.
The first engagement was over 1t had
proved the invincible prowess of freemen fight
ing for their homes. The Hessians had
learned to fear even raw recruit from the
Green Mountains. The Indians began to de-
sert the army Of Baum when they found that
sthe woods were filled with Yankees
Reinforcements came to both armies. They
again rushed to conflict Baum was slain
his army routed and upwards of 500 prison.
ers graced the victory of General Stark And