The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-14
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.

| ing, as Vsrmonters are now assembling
at Bennington from all parts
of the country to celebrate the
Centennial anniversary of the bat
tie. 1t Is from Harpers Maga-
zine, and written by Mr.. IL. W. Herrick,
a descendant OF one Of the participators
| in the fights
The American troops comprised eight
incomplete regiments-Gve companies
from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, i,
colonel Simmons; the Sixth New Hamp-
shire, Colonel Nichols; Lhe Eleventh
New Hampshire, Colonel Hobart (incor-
rectly given Hubbard in the reports j;
the Twelfth New Hampshire, Colonel
Stickney; and hundred scouts, Colonel
Emerson. Vermont was represented
by small iorce of militia Colonel
Williams; regiment from Bennington
and tue towns adjoining, Colonel
Brush; and the Green Mounta in
Rangers, Colonel HerricK The CONT
ty in number, and Emerson's men, were
vet several miles distant. These organ
| IzatIons W ere in pro otess Of iOrmatio II,
few of them being half filed. None had
a distinctive uniform except the
Rangers-A body oil Davy Crockett men,
dressed in frocks with green lacings.
| In the tactics or the forest these Rangers
were at home, being good matcA for
the Indians, whose whoop they nearly
initiated in their night countersign,
which was ''three hooLs of an OWL"
| The commander OF the Americans,
with The trusty Warner at his side,
| ranjIlV thrnnyh tho ra q
was in the prime Of life, forty-nlne years
old, dressed as a Continental Brigadier,
and mounted ON a beautiful brown colt.
His only staff officer was Warner, six
teen years his junior; and his medic al
department numbered but one or two
surgeons. The entire force was about
|. .750, of which New Hampshire furnished d
ABOUT 900; Vermont, 800; and old Berk-
SHIRE, go. A regiment from Worceste
County, Massachusetts, advanced as
far as old Hauley to participate in the
action, but being TOO late for inc service,
returned.
Baum's force comprised about 1000, OF
whom 150 were Indians, 200 Torres, 100
J Frasers marksineD, 100 Canadian Ran.
gers, 5O chasseurs, and 3TO RiedesePs
, uragOous, or Hessians. acIng as in.
tantry. This number is nearly twice as
large as given by Burgoync in hls Official
report to GtrmAin, but this Generals
veracity. when he had purpose u
serve, was of an exceedingly elastic
order. Tue British prisoners and deaC
, numbered the next day over900, and Bur
goyns's orderly book makes his loss In
The two engagements over l. 200. The dis
posaI of Baum's force was well made
the Tories, or Peters corps, with 9
) small platoon OF Heseians, held the
| Nanauiana
, in the Lighthouses, a few Hessians were
posted in the breastworks west OF the
bridge, the chasseurs were at the east
decliylty Of the large hill, while the re
mainuer Of the Hessians were iu the re
S doubt surrounded by The Indian scout!
!. in the forest. The German commander
r evidently wished to avoid battle; a
+ at halt past ne withdrew his outposts
leaving the Indians only in the forest II
a guard against surprise.
q AS midday approached the Ameri
cans were massed to receive orders; thu
locality was "a large field, the entranc
to which was by sliding bars and tai
: posts peculiar to the Vicinity. Starl
leaped to the topmostra rail, steadied him
l sell by the tall post, and harangued hi
8 troops in the Well-kn0wn sentences
Nov, my men, yonder are the Hes
n slans; they were bought for sever
v pounds tenpence a maG. Are you wort
more? Prove it. Tonight the Ameri
can flag floats over yonder hill, or Mol,
STARK sleeps widoww Throwing knap
, sacks, jackets, and all baggage in heaps
lnnd placing a guard over them, The tore
# started. Colonel Herrick's Rangers
i with the Bennington militia, 800 strong
: were sent to make a detOur tO Baum
right; Colonel Nichols, with $50 meI
+ was sent to The rear ot the enemt's lett
J. the two iorces, Wnen Joined, TO make a
/. attack; two hundred men under olone
Stickney ana COlonel Hobart, includln
part Of the Berkshire militia, were sen
i against the Tory works, with direction
= w keep concealed In corn field near b
and await the opening of the action Il
Baum's hIl. Foreseeing that ther
g would be close work Win the Tore,
e who were in citIZens' dress, like his ow
p lorce, Stark gave directions to the u
lacking party that corn husk in th
a uat.Dand should be the badge OF his ow
d men. A guard under a sergeant wa
= posted near the bridge to prevent con
munlcution between tae TWO wings
! the enemy during the movements OF III