The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-18
3 z NJ N N G r o NJ 4.
Celebration Of the Eighty-eighth Ami
versary Of the Battle.
Ceremonies of the Bennington His
torical z0ciety.
ADDRESS OF REV. E. H. CHAPLIN
Speeches by General Hooker and
Others,
&C., &C.. &c.
Our Bennington Correspondence.

&C., &C.. &c.
Our bennington Correspondence.
BENNINGTON, VT, August TO- 1865
The Sixteenth of August is Bennington's Fourth Of
July The history and traditions of that day held In
enthusiastic memory by the inhabitants OF this region,
and they failed celebrate since they be-
gan to do so in 1778 Within circuit Of twenty miles,
over the mountains and the valleys, they in
astonishing numbers, making It the festival occasion
OF the year. The battle which occurred August 10,
1777 not indeed in Bennington but six miles northwest
from here, in the town of Hoosck N. Y, one of
the most brilliant decisive and important engagements
which the early Revolutionary campaign witnessed 1t
was called Bennington battle because, at the
time it was fought, the British troops
marching toward Bennington which the federal
troops held, and to defend which, with its army
stores, the latter marched out to battle. General
Burgoyne while marching towards Albany, had learned
that large amount Of provisions and ammunition
stored at Bennington, and despatched Colonel Bovine,
with five hundred Germans, hundred Indians corps
of provncals and loyast to secure these stores
General John Stark with three New Hampshire reg
ments and Green Mountain boys, enough to make his
force one thousand eight hundred met Bovine on the
afternoon of August 10, and, although the latter
strongly inrenched attacked him, and, continuing the
fight till sundown utterly routed him, killing two hun
bred and men, and taking hundred prisoners
He himself lost only thirty killed and forty wounded
Vermont thus saved from. invasion, Burgoyne
crippled and the waning hope and courage of the colon
lists everywhere strengthened.
THE DAY
was one of intense excitement in Bennington. The
town was filed with refugees from the surrounding
country. Two companies OF Bennington with
Gen Stark and their wives and daughters listened TO the
noise of battle with sckenng fear and hope No wonder
the events Of that day left an impression this region
which has been handed down from generation to genera
ton and which can never be lost Four of the Bennng
ton men were killed The sword Of the British COM
mander COL Bovine, who was killed, was taken by a
federal lieutenant, and Is still kept in the Robinson
family, of this place Four brass field pieces were
tured two Of which now in the State Capitol at Mont
THE EIGHTY -EIGHTH ANyvRRsARy
ms battle hea on 81 an ah sets ga s
cety who hold special meeting at this time, and who
hays made great Efforts to procure large attendance Of
quired new life and vigor and is now devong itself
with great perseverance to the hunting up and preserva
Sn Of everything Of "a attend IN Srra history
been accepted by many prominent mon throughout the
state 70 whom the generous hospitality Of the town is
estimated thai Assn thousand persons are here All
day yesterday and to-day the crowd of people has been
increasing until tonight every house in the town fui
| TO OVERLOOKING
| HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
for such large number Of people are Of course wholly
inadequate but all the citizens have thrown open their
houses, that every is provided with sleeping
place. The Mount Anthony House. which the best in
town. has fed over thousand people to-day, and pro-
| vidcd beds for half the number
The morning opened pleasant, but warm, and notwth
standing the efforts which had been made by the com
mitee OF arrangements for sprinkng the streets, the
| dust was almost sitting.
As usual on such occasions there was long delay u
starting the procession II announced that IL would
at half past ten o'clock, but the orator of the
dsy-Rev. f. II. Chaplin, OF New York-and Major General
Joseph Hooker, who the great military hero of the
occasion, did arrive until and the whole thing
was consequently postponed till that hour
The arrangements complete is possible upon
occasions Of like character Lieutenant Colonel John f.
Pratt Chief Marshal OF the day, had acquired sufficient
experience during his four years Of In the army
TO form and the large force under his command
without the slightest difficulty.
marched In the procession, and that three times that
number OF strangers Ia the town. The procession
formed at hslfpas twelve o'clock in the Following
ORDER
Lieutenant Colonel John f. Pratt, Chief Marshal
Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Cole, Assistant Marshal.
| Lieutenant J. H. Cushman, Assistant Marshal
| Band
| Eleventh regiment Vermont militia Lieutenant Colonel
| Cady commanding.
| Distinguished guests.
| Vermont Historical Society.
! Sullivans Troy Band
COMPANY G. Twenty fourth New York National Guard,
| Captain Cusck commanding
Company H, Twenty fourth New York National Guard,
Captain Colder commanding.
| Troy Drum Corps.
Bennington Fire Department Geo Benton Chief.
| Spartan Engine Co No. l.
Protection Engine Co. No 2.
| Carriages, &c.
The procession really fine one, and would have
done credit to any city in the Union The military pre-
sented fine appearance. The Troy National Guard par
tcuarly received the applause Of the crowd for thc
soldIcriy appearance and good marching The engines
OF the Bennington Fire Department were decorated with
and flowers and the companies turned out IN
| fun force
The procession formed in front Of the Mount Anthony
House. and marched Morgan Grove about half mile
from town. where platform had been erected for the
! speakers and seats provided for the multitude.
| TBE STEAMERS sIASD
was large enough to seat about forty people and was oc
cuped by distinguished visitors from abroad and mem
Quite number Of distinguished military heroes were
among the number, and recciveda fun snare OF PUBIC
| The following we're among the prominent gentlemen
on the speaker stand Major General Joseph Hooker,
Major General Truman Seymour Brgadier General Geo.
J. Stanpard Brevet Brgadicr General Foster Brigader
General Phelps Colonies X. Proctor and T. o. scaver
Breader General Carr Colonel Redneld Proctor, Colone
| A. Potter Tnirty-fourt Name Col McCreary One Hun
dred and Forty nth Pennsyvania Governor G. Smith
Lieutenant. Governor Denehs% EsSGscr W% Hal
| Hagcr Esq Prof porke, OF Andover; Henry Clark
Henry Hail. Hon. A. l.. Miner, Hon: Mark skinner, o
Haughon ESQ., Recording Secretary Vermont Historical
Society; Major n. y. Hail. Professor Bascom, Williams
Ex-Governor George IL Hail. president Of the da
called meeting To order and IN few and approprat
remarks upon the object Of the celebration, and ais
the rse and progress OF the Vermont Historical Society
introduced Rev Isaac Jennings, who delivered ferven
| and impressive prayer
| ADDRESS cBArTy
| Al the conclusion Rev. II II. Chaplin, of New York
orator Of the day. was introduced and delivered mos
i eioouent address His subject was The Elements
National Iifen For hour and twenty minutes he bell
that vast audience spelibound with his eloqcencc. III
rapid renders II very difcu to take down hi
remarks In fu but the following " the substance OF hi
speech
| GENTLEMEN or The BrsroMcAL so1trY, FKttow CIR
| zExs-No regret more than do that crcum
stances prevent my presenting you this occasion WI
| an appropriate address. Drawn hrher by the memoir
| and associations Of the day you celebrate, hoped
hear from other lips the story Of that day True, VI
story " that battle has often been told but narrative
| such herosm and achievement never grows stale. W
pcrpctuay require the story Of The past 10 illustrate Tia
| present am sure that many who hear me are able