The Shasta courier., 1867-10-05
The Boys Who BattIed at Bennington.

in the Northern Department of Revolution,
ary Affairs. The event which lifted this
cloud was the Battle of Bennington, some
of the yalorous deeds of which | now pro.
pose to describe.
The British General Burgoyne. had found
his progress to Albany much delayed from
want of provisions. While casting around
for means ofreplenishmept be received intel
ligence-partly based on truth, and partly
in error-which he deemed most fortuitous,
and acted upon accordingly, but which, as
we shall see hereafter, was most uulucky
news for him. This was to the purport that
the Americans had plenty of stores of -four,
corn and cattle at Bennington. He was also
given to understand that these stores were
not only guarded by detachment of unds-
ciplined militia, weak and hesitating, but
that the friends of the British cuase really
numbered five out of six of the people in that
region, whatever they may have seemed to
be, and that they were only waiting the
appearance of the protecting power to declare
openly and heartily for the King.
Relying on this version of the status Of
Americans in his front, Burgoyne dispatched
a German lieutenent- colonel Baum with
500 white men, and 100 Indian allies, with
two pieces of artillery, with orders to execute
the work-deemed mere piece of child's
play-of capturing the coveted stores and
inviting the anxiously 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
the eastern side of the Hudson and encamped
opposite Saratoga, with the view of being
within supporting distance, should there be
Of nl
ready, in the event of the success of his
plan, to receive the prodgal sons into his
loving fold. Meanwhile he sent his advance
corps across the river on a bridge of RATS,
as preliminary support to his German
subordinate, who had started forward with
every hope of success.
Baum's Teutonic courage, however, soon
began to be somewhat shaky, from a cause
which will be gathered from what | am now
about TO state: 1t had been noised abroad
that he was coming, 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 offense at
what he regarded slight of his claims upon
the Continentals in making their appoint
ments of officers, had resigned his colonelcy
in the regular army, but his love Of the good
cause was not abated, and being invited to
take command of the promptly gathered
yeomanry, he joyfully consented, and put
himself at their head, and with his char
acteristic, Come, boys ~ took up the line
Of march to Bennington-to which point
brave Seth Warner was also marching with
his regiment.
When Baum got within six miles of Ben
nington he heard of Stark's approach The
moment he did so, deeming prudence the
better part of valor, be halted and began to
entrench, and despatched to Burgoyne
requisition for reinforcements-for he had
no doubt, heard before of the brave old lead
er who was confronting him, and knew of
what stuff he was made, and guessed
what the followers of such man were likely
to be.
Col. Breyman was sent to the aid of Baum
with 500 Hessians and two field pieces, which
seemed to be amply sufficient tor what Bur
goyne still considered an easy job, in view
of the reported disafection of the Americans
to the cause of the patriots.
On the l4th of Augusta rainy day-the
work done was that of skirmshing. Small
parties of the Americans engaging with
the enemy, killed and wounded mum
Der of them. including two Indian chiefs,
without any loss to themselves. This had
good effect upon their courage. But the
ground Stark occupied not being suitable for
general action, he withdrew about a mile,
encamped, and called a council of war. 1t
was agreed to send two detachments into the
enemy's rear, while the rest of the troops
attacked in front.
On the 18th of August it again stormed,
and severely, all day, which retarded the
intended assault. However, there was fre
quent skirmishing by small parties. The
heavy rain, together with the badness of the
roads, prevented also Breyman's advancing
sufficiently rapidly to Baum's assistance to
effect the purpose of his movements.
The next day, August 10th, Stark, who
had been joined in the morning by Col Sey-
monds, from Berkshire, pursued his plan
Baum, in the meanwhile, had entrenched
and rendered his post as defensible as circum
stances would permit.
The sun having dispelled the clouds on
the 18th, Stark drew out his forces for the
conflict 1t was at this time that be used the
words of bluntness as well as pluck, which
have gone into the history of this memorable
occasion. Just as he came in sight of the
enemy, turning to his whole souled noun
IdlHeeTS, lie eAclulueu, WIN MO PO"NiA"'
voice:
There are the red coats, boys We
must beat them to day or Molly Stark is
widow ~
The attack was not commenced regularly
until the afternoon of the 10th. The action
Immediately became general. 1t lasted
about two hours, with one continued noise
like the ruffiing of drum. Baum made
brave defense; and the German dragons
kept together after having expended their
ammunition, and led by their Colonel charged
with their swords but were soon overpowered.
The whole detachment. though well inclosed
by two breastworks, were forced to give way
to the superior courage of the Americans,
who with their rough brown fire locks,
scarcely bayonet, little discipline, and not
single piece Of cannon ventured to attack
500 well trained regulars, furnished with
the completest arms and accoutrements.
besides having two pieces of artillery and
being advantageously posted, and accompa-
MED by 100 Indians.
The battle was most obstinate on both
sides. When the Germans finally gave way,
which 1t is just to say, partly through
failure OF ammunition, they left their
artillery behind them, and number Of pris