The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-11-05
THE BOYS WHO BArTLED AT BEN.
NIEGT9E.

bad tof sptot time pfeYlons ~ tAe 10Th
Of Angusi. Is7I. cast cloud o. despon-
deucy over Us patrio;s b the Northern
Department II Revolutionary Aifair,
The event which lifted this cloud was
ihe Battle ~ Bennington, sons y lhe
ysl0rous deeds Of which now propose
10 describe.
The British Genera, Bnrgoyne, bad
found biz p,ogress % Albany much de-
lasod from want u provisions While
casting apnnd fer means of repleniss-
ment. he received intelligence partly
bascd on truth and, partly N error
which be deemed most foftuitous, and
acted upon il accordingly, but which,
as I'VE shalt see hereafter was most un-
lucky news for him This Vas TO the
puTporl tha, the Americans had plenty
II stores % -four corn and cattle at
Bennington lie ives also given to un-
derstand that these stores we're not only
guarded ~ detachment Of undisei-
plined militia, weak and hesitating, but
that the friends of the British cause
ruAlly numbered FIVE out Of six Of the
people in that region, whatever they
may have seemed 10 be, and that they
were only awaiting the appearance Of
the protecting power to declare openly
and heartily for the king.
Relying on this version OF the status
Of Americans in bis front Burgoyne dis
patched German lieuienant-colonel,
Baum, with only 500 white men, and
100 Indian allies, with two pieces ofar-
tillery, with orders 20 execute the work
deemed mere piece Of chiid's play
OF capturing tho coveted stores and in
viting the anxiousIy awaiting adherents
of the crown into the loving embrace Of
his majesty,
Meanwhile Burgoyne himself moved
with the main body of the invading
army, along tho eastern side Of the
Hudson and eneamped opposite Sara
toga, with the view OF being within sup
porting distance, should there be any
possible need of support, and to be
ready IN the event Of the success Of his
plan, TO receive the prodigal sons into
his loving fold Meanwhile he sent his
advance corps across the river on a
bridge of RATS, as a preliminary sup
port to his German subordinate, who
had started forward with every hope of
Baum's Teutonic courage, however,
soon began 10 be somewhat shaky, from
cause which will be gathered from
what am now abont to state; 1t had
been noised abroad that he was com
ming, and the Green Mountain Boys
began to rally dauntlessly to the rescue
Of the stores which they had assisted
TO accumulate and the honor of their
threatened colony.
Brave old Col Stark had taken Of
fense at what he regarded slight of his
claims upon the contiuentals in making
their appointments OF officers, and re-
signed his eolonelcy 10 the regular army
but his love of the good cause was not
abated, and being invited to take COM
mand of the promptly gathered yeoman-
ry, he ioyfuily consented and put him
self al their head. and With his charac-
terisiic. Come boys r took " his hne
Of march 10 Bennington Ito which point
brave Seth Mariner was also marching
with his regiment.
When Baum got within six miles Of
Bennington he heard Of Starks APP
proach. The moment he did SO, deem
ing prudence the better part Of valor,
be halted and began to entrench, and
dispatched to Burgoyne requisition
for reinforcements- for he had, no
doubt, heared before Of the brave old
leader who was confronting him, and
"gussed' what the followers Of such
man we're likely 10 be-
Col. Breymon was sent to the aid Of
Baum with 500 Hessians and two field
pieces. which seemed To be amply suf-
fcient for what Burgoyne stillsconsid-
cred an easy job, in view Of the report
ed disaffection OF the Americans to the
cause Of the patriots.
\ On the lith Of August rniny day
the work done was that of skirmish-
ing. Small parties ot the Americans
engaging with tho enemy, killed aud
wounded 8 nunher Of them. including
two Indian chiefs. without any loss to
themselves TINS had GOOD effect up
pom their courage Bat the ground
STARK occupied not being suitable for
general action, be withdrew abont
mile. eucamped and called a council oi
war. Ii was agreed to seud two de-