Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-09-17
The Battle of Bennington-Interes
"Reminiscences.


from the New Haven (Conn.) Journal and
Courier:
A few days ago made a visit to the
battle-ground where was fought the Battle of
Bennington, on the 10th of August, l777. 1t
is located about eight miles from Bennington,
near the village Of Hoosick. There is moth
ing about the ground to mark its former
glory, no monument rises to tell the stranger
and the tourist that this is the spot where
the Green Mountain Boys, under the COM
mand of Stark and Warren, gained victory
which gave new life, new hope to the
Americans On reaching the battle ground,
| perceived that the place selected was once
well calculated for an earnest contest for
life and liberty. Rising to my right and
stretching far away to the mountains, were
hills and forests farms loaded with rich
yielding rye, and everything having the
aspect of peace and prosperity. AT the foot
of the battle-ground runs the musical stream,
Walloomsoick.
History claims that there may yet be found
some traces on this field of battle, which de-
fnitely point to the tourist the glory of
other days. l must confess saw nothing
that would lead me to suspect that battle
had ever been fought. True, saw the diff
ferent points where the two armies were
stationed, yet deeply regretted that this
interesting spot should be so entirely de-
solate of all that honor and fame for which
the grounds were used. On returning to
Bennington, | halted for few. moments to
view the spot where General Stark delivered
his philippe speech, previous to giving bat
tie to the Red Goats. 1t is related that he
mounted gate by the roadside, which now
opens into farm, and from that position,
he gave vent to the following: See these
menl these are the Red Codtsl Before night
they are ours, or Molly Stark soiU be a
aoido,U !" This was received with tremen-
dous cheering by the Green Mountain Boys,
who fully proved by their heroic deeds, that
Molly Stark should yet enjoy years of
comfort, with her brave and daring partner.
In the long street of Bennington Center, a
short distance from the Church, still stands
the old Catamount Tavern, SO noted in his
tory for the scenes enacted there during the
trials of '76. 1t is low, two-story building,
| ofthe ancient style, and has the appearance
of age and decay. No stranger can look
upon it without perceiving this. Here was
held the counsel of safety during the war.
| Among the prominent actors were-Gen.
Stark and Ethan Allen. Here was also held
a counsel of war, previous to the battle ot
Bennington. The British officers (Baumt
and others) had engaged dinner on the l6tt
of August, TIT. The good dame had got 6
capital meal ready and was anxioIsly wait
ing for Baume and his companions, feeling
no doubt that the enemy would be successful
At evening she heard the clatter of horses,
and the shout of the men, and she hurried to
give the enemy proper reception. But
what must have been her surprise when in
stead of entertaining the enemy she had the
10Y to feast Gen. Stark and his noble officer;
while they who had ordered the dinner
Weere either taken prisoners or had fled TO-
safety. 1t was here that Col. Baume wa
brought as prisoner of war, and also, soor
after died from wounds received in the bat
tie.
A very interesting anecdote is related o
Gen. Ethan Allen, who resided at Benning
, ton, for several years. Allen, though |
| heroic soldier, was confirmed infdel, ant
, paid little or no respect to the church. Vi
| one occasion happening into the villag
Z church, he listened to long prayer by tn
, | minister, exalting the brave deeds of variou
! | officers, who had fought for their country
! but much to the surprise of Gen. Etha
Allen, his name was not mentioned, and bt
ing a very eccentric man, he immediatel
. rose, and in a deep shrill voice, pointing
:. thel minister, said: Pdrson, please sag
8 aeds there I" and instantly left the church.
At the homestead of Mr.. George Robinson
! had the pleasure of examining several oil
relics. am informed that they have bee
in the family since the war. Among thel
is the cooking stove used by Gen. Baume,
h camp-life which is rusty with age, and hi
: the appearance of once doing good servic
4 The chief object Of interest was the sword
q Gen. Baume; this was bought by Mr.. r.
y grandfather on the field of battle, for trif
Il It is a very long sword the case is tippe
il with silver, and the guard to the hand Is I
is the best steel; the blade is saw-like
: several places, from hard use) and there al
I spots of blood TO be seen. 1t must hay
4 been used by powerful man, as its weigl
is enormous, when we compare 1t with OF
modern sword.
n A most interesting story is related (whiC
I shall give though ! can not vouch for
a truth) Of British spy. Just previous
le the Battle of Bennington, the British wis
" ing to gain some important information, b
l. from fear of being detected, did not knO
e what course to pursue. A very beautif
re lady, an expert horsewoman, the wife of
IN English officer, with that heroic coura
to which the true,woman possesses, offered to
c. and obtain the desired information. S
o. soon appeared dressedsin white, mounting
is black charger, having received her orde
as bid adieu and hastened on her errand.
d, forded the stream, Walloomscoick, rode
to the Americans position, and gained the tr
as locality of the enemy. She then started
ut the Camp, again forded the stream, and wi
n, q heart beating with hope, she soon expect
a. to give the desired news. A party
he American soldiers, who were hid in
w bushes near by, perceived her actions, a
guessed the object of her visit. Th
or hesitated at first what to do, yet they
ld should she reach the camp all would be los
lg another moment and she would be out
ed danger. The word Fire was given, a
n she fell from her horse dead, and was aft
at ward buried by the English soldiers. 7
" shows American integrity over feeling, a.
of if true was an act of firm courage.