Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-17
HERALD.
The Rattle Of Bennington.

.;otorv over the British troops. The VIC
tory was one Of much Importance TO the
American cause. 1t is fitting that the
neonle of Bennington celebrate the VIC !
tory of which their town was the scene
and John Stark the hero. 1t was the
turning point in the series of successes
which had crowned the British arms, and
which had produced in them an over.
weening confidence. The enemy admitted
that "this unfortunate event has paralyzed
at once our operations" and Burgoyne
wrote four days after the battle, "Ihe
Hampshire grants in particu'ar,a country
unpeopled and almost unknown in the
Last war. now abound in the most rebelli-
ous race Of the continent and hung like a
gathering storm upon our left" Wash
inpton also wrote zone more stroke by
New England such as that of Bennington
would crush Burgoyne." The victory
was more decisive because fought by I'M
trained militia against veteran regulars
It was the seed of all the future successes
OF Gates, which the command OF Stark
aiterward Joined. All offensive operation
Of the British in the north terminated
with the surrender of Burgoyne and his
whole army at Saltwater two months
after the battle of Bennington. t.... SO
A brief outline of the history of events
previous to the battle and description Of
the battle may refresh the memory of our
RAIDERS in reference to the event whose
oommemoration is to take place at Ben
nington to-day. .'.'' 49,,
The people of Vermont rendered ethcl-
ent ser vice to the garrison at Ticonderoga
by forwarding them supplies of flour, at a
time too when they had only bread
enough for sixteen days, and were hourly
expecting an attack. On the 9th OF July
1777, the Americans, under General st.
Clair, evacuated Ticonderoga, In conse-
ouence of the presence of Burgoyne, who
detached portion of his command for
the purpose of pursuing them They
same up with the Americans at Hubbard
ton, on the 7th, where desperate en-
counter took place, in which the Ameri-
cans were routed. The intelligence of
tho approach of Burgoyne filled the
people of Vermont with alarm, exposed
as they were to the encroschments of the
British, destitute of protection and OF the
means Of securing it.
In this desperate emergency they ap'
penled to Massachusetts, and New Hamp.
shire for aid, and the latter placed large
force at their disposal under John Stark.
General Stark first halted at Manchester
with bis troops, numbering 1,400 men, six
hundred Of whom were Green Mountain
Bows under Col. Seth Warner, and next,
disregarding the orders of Gen. Schuyler,
who directed him to join the army on the
west side of Hudson River, collected his
own at Bennington, leaving Colonel
Warner at Manchester. General Bur-
goyne, with the main body of the British
army, lay at Fort Edward. From this
force General Burgoyne detached Colonel
Baum with about 800 Germans and 100
Indians for the purpose of securing Yer
mont as far "a Connecticut River, and
"trying the affections of the country
He was also to cross the mountains to
Rockingham and Brattleboro, and bring
1900 horses or more, as well as cattle, Tor
labor and provisions, returning to the
army with his booty within fourteen
days. Baum was likewise directed to
tell the people that his detachment was
the advance guard of the British army
which was marching to Boston. The AFT
feotions of the people were found to be
very different from what had been anti
cipated, and they were determined to try
the strength of this advance guard il
nothing more.
In accordance with their determination
when the Indians, who were the pioneer:
under Baum, were seen by Stark's army
on the 18th Of August, about twelve mile'
from Bennington, Stark sent Col. William
Gregg with two hundred men to obstruct
their march Towards evening news was
brought to Stark that body of regular
troops with artillery was advancing to-
wards Bennington; and the next morn
ing with his whole brigade and some o.
The Vermont militia, he marched to sup
port Col. Gregg, who was lily prepared t(
meet such a force of the enemy. Gen
Stark had not proceeded more than ter
miles before he met Gregg retreating, tn
enemy in full pursuit and close upon hi
rear As soon az Baum saw Stark's col
umn, be came 10 a halt on an emminence
now called Hessian Hill, and there in
trenehed himself The Americana took
position in open view, but there were III
offensive operations on either side, anc
shortly after, they marched back mil
towards Bennington, and encamped,
few men being left to skirmish with tn
enemy, thirty of whom with two Indial
chiefs were killed.
Tho next day, Aug. 10Th, was rainy
and nothing was done except some Skin
mishing. Many of the Indians deserted
because, they said, the woods were full o
Yankees. The next morning Gen. Starl
was reinforced, his whole force mum
bered 1000 men. He sent Col. Nose
Nichols, with $50 men, to act against tn
rear of the enemy's left wing; and Col
Hendrick, with 800 men, to attack tn
rear of the right. Three hundred wer
placed in front to divert their attention
while Coils. Hobert and Stickney CON
msnded two detashments, one of 200 me
to attack the right wing, and the other Q
100 to support Col. Nichols in the rear Q
the left ..--
The battle was begun in the latte
quarter precisely at 3 o'clock, p. NJ, ant
wss carried on simultaneously. by tn
other attachments, Stark himself advane
ing with the main body. Tho battl
lasted two hours, at the end of which tn
eremv'a hreaatworks were forced. tw